Popular Egyptologist Zahi Hawas lectures at CIBF

CAIRO – 30 January 2018: Popular Egyptologist and author Zahi Hawas participated in a seminar headed by prominent journalist Soliman Gouda, at Abdel Rahman el-Sharqawy hall, on the third day of the Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF).
Tackling various topics, Hawas reviewed different beliefs around the ancient Egyptian history, stressing that the west is still obsessed with the ancient Egyptian civilization.
Hawas pointed out that he received a massive number of requests for carrying out excavations in the Sphinx site as it is believed that there is a box under Sphinx's right leg; he asserted that he had turned down all these requests.
"We have drilled under the Sphinx after observing underground waters rising around the statue, and the X-Ray scanning proved nothing is buried under the Sphinx; Sphinx is a carved stone," Hawas explained.


Zahi Hawas during the seminar – Photo Courtesy of CIBF official Facebook page

Regarding the latest unearthed coins carrying Queen Cleopatra's picture, Hawas clarified that she was not as beautiful as it is believed; but she was well-cultured, charming and ambitious; she could speak seven languages, and aimed to rule the whole world, but the world is still waiting for her tomb discovery.
Hawas rejected the idea of Nefertiti's tomb existence behind a wall inside Tutankhamen's tomb, in the Valley of Kings, highlighting that the ancient Egyptian respected the soul, so no king would construct a wall to hide a tomb of another queen, or king.
Hawas added that more excavation works are underway, especially in Valley of the Monkeys, "I am heading an archaeological mission in Valley of the Monkeys that gets its name from the painting of the 12 monkeys on one of King Ay's tomb walls," Hawas revealed.


Zahi Hawas during the seminar – Photo Courtesy of CIBF official Facebook page

Concerning the Pyramids construction, Hawas stated that a piece of papyrus written in the ancient Egyptian language, that carried the full explanation for the process of the Pyramids construction, was unearthed, refuting all the spread claims around the Great Pyramid.
"Egypt has the most attractive and influential soft powers due to its long history and fascinating antiquities; the transfer of King Ramses II's statue impressed the whole world and was considered a new Egyptian historical and cultural victory," Hawas concluded.


Zahi Hawas during the seminar – Photo Courtesy of CIBF official Facebook page

Also, Egypt presented to the world the Grand Egyptian Museum which is the biggest museum dedicated for a single historical period, the ancient Egyptian period.
Finally, Hawas called on the Ministry of Education to set a proper cultural educational plan for students to know more about the glorious Egyptian history; in addition, he stressed that students should learn how to deal with tourists to create a positive image for Egypt.
The 49th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF) opened its doors for visitors on January 29.
The number of visitors of CIBF reached 650, 000 persons on its first two days, CIBF official Facebook page announced.
The fair presents a program of various cultural events including seminars, lectures and book discussions.