Hawass officially reappointed to Egypt's antiquities portfolio

Renowned Egyptologist, Zahi Hawass, tells Ahram Online of his reappointment as Egypt's minister of antiquities and prioritises the repelling of encroachments on archaeological sites a well as the resumption of projects

Nevine El-Aref , Monday 4 Apr 2011

Send

Five days after his meeting with Egypt Prime Minister Essam Sharaf renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass has been officially reappointed to the post of Egypt’s minister of state for antiquities affairs.

A 30-minute meeting was held between Hawass and Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, the head of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces to discuss security measures necessary to safeguard Egypt’s antiquities and efforts to be exerted to restore Egypt’s looted artefacts in collaboration with the world community and UNESCO.

Hawass told Ahram Online that the first order of the day is to repel the 500 encroachments on archaeological sites that have been found within the past two weeks, as well as the resumption of projects that were on halt due to the revolution.

He expresses his happeness in returning to the post and for the opportunity to do his utmost to protect Egypt’s monuments.

Hawass was appointed as minister of antiquities, but resigned less than a month ago from the post under criticism for his close ties to former President Hosni Mubarak.

Search Keywords:

Zahi hawass | minister of state for antiquities affairs | officially reapointed

Short link:

Comments in order (Total 6 comments)

Post a comment

tom mcdermott

Tuesday, April 05, 2011 7:11 PM

zahi hawass

OH FUDGE I WAS HOPING THIS ACADEMIC TYRANT WOULD BE SHUT UP IN TUT'S TOMB! THERE COULD BE NO BETTER PROOF THAT POOR EGYPT'S REVOLT WAS A TOTAL AND USELESS FAILURE.'

HYD

Tuesday, April 05, 2011 6:26 PM

Dr. Hawass

I saw Dr. Hawass speak at University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology. He blew our minds. You don't let a man with his brand of categorical knowledge and deepest love and respect for culture get away. And does he bear an uncanny resemblance to Tony Bennett? I believe so. Cheers, Dr. Hawass. And come back to the States as soon as you can with all the slides and goodies you can carry.'

hypathia

Tuesday, April 05, 2011 6:15 PM

A step backwards for Egypt's Antiquities

Mr. Hawass is a threat to the overall well being of the antiquities in Egypt. He preserves nothing for future archaeological study. He refuses to accept the use of modern DNA technology making claims against the use thereof without any actual experience in the process of the technology. He capitalizes on the history of ancient Egypt for his own notoriety. How I loathe that we will be forced to watch more of this pompous man on every documentary about ancient Egypt. Frankly the only reason he resigned from his post originally was not because of some fictitious concern over monument security but because of his open support of Mubarak. He placed himself in a poor political position and had to make a hasty exit to cover his backside. Placing this man back in this position leaves us one again stymied with regard to ancient Egyptian antiquities and the preservation and study therof. '

Adam Taylor-Awny

Tuesday, April 05, 2011 10:43 AM

Shame

Mr Hawass seems to think he is indiana jones. According to him every discovary in egypt is his. He has limited knowledge and is more interested in himself then anything else. This is shamefull, counter reveloutionary and counter productive untill we have someone respectable in this important post we will not move forward'

D

Tuesday, April 05, 2011 7:27 AM

Zahi Hawass

In every interview/article I have read, Mr. Hawass has always sided on protecting his country's monuments; this paramount issue makes him an excellent person to post for this position. Good luck sir.'

Name

Subject

Comment

Send

Readers Picks