Zahi Hawass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zahi Hawass
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| زاهي حواس | |
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| 1st Minister of Antiquities | |
| In office January 31, 2011 – March 3, 2011 |
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| President | Hosni Mubarak |
| Prime Minister | Ahmed Shafik |
| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | Mohamed Ibrahim Ali |
| In office April 5, 2011 – July 17, 2011 |
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| Prime Minister | Essam Sharaf |
| Succeeded by | Mohamed Said |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 28, 1947 Damietta, Kingdom of Egypt (present-day Egypt) |
| Alma mater | University of Pennsylvania (MA, PhD) Cairo University Alexandria University (BA) |
| Profession | Egyptologist |
Zahi Abass Hawass (Egyptian Arabic: زاهي حواس; born May 28, 1947) is a famous Egyptian archaeologist and Egyptologist. He is known for his work at many ancient sites in Egypt. He also served as the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities twice.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Zahi Hawass was born in a small village near Damietta, Egypt. He first wanted to be a lawyer. But he ended up studying Greek and Roman Archaeology. He earned his first degree from Alexandria University in 1967.
In 1979, he got a special diploma in Egyptology from Cairo University. After that, he worked at the Great Pyramids. His job was to inspect and manage archaeological sites.
When he was 33, Hawass received a special scholarship. This allowed him to study Egyptology in the United States. He went to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. There, he earned two Master's degrees in 1983. He then completed his PhD in Egyptology in 1987. His PhD focused on the burial places of ancient kings.
His Work as an Archaeologist
Early Career and Digs
From 1968 to 1974, Hawass helped lead excavations at sites like Hermopolis and Tarrana. Since 1975, he has been in charge of many digs and restoration projects. Most of these have been at the Giza area.
Between 1969 and 1975, he also worked as an inspector. He oversaw many archaeological teams. These included expeditions at Abydos, Egypt and Abu Simbel.
Hawass also taught Egyptian archaeology and history. He taught at universities in Egypt and the USA. He wanted to create a plan to protect ancient monuments. He also aimed to train Egyptians in excavation and preservation.
Discoveries at Giza
From 1972 to 1980, Hawass was an inspector at Giza. In 1987, he became the Director General of the Giza monuments. This important role covered many famous sites. These included Giza, Saqqara, Memphis, Dahshur, Abusir, and Bahariya Oasis.
He continues to work on archaeological projects. As of 2017, he led a science team. This team oversaw the ScanPyramids project. This project uses new technology to explore the pyramids.
Government Roles
In 2002, Hawass became the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. This is a very important position in Egypt. It means he was in charge of all ancient sites.
When US President Barack Obama visited Cairo in 2009, Hawass gave him a special tour. He showed President Obama around ancient Egyptian sites.
Minister of Antiquities
In 2011, Zahi Hawass was appointed Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs. This was a new government job. He said he would keep digging and writing books. He also promised to protect Egypt's archaeological sites. He worked to get stolen artifacts back to Egypt.
He later left this role but was reappointed. He then resigned again in July 2011.
Famous Discoveries and Projects
Zahi Hawass has been involved in many important discoveries. He helped find the tombs of the pyramid builders at Giza. He also found the Valley of the Golden Mummies. At Giza, he uncovered a smaller pyramid near Khufu's pyramid.
In 2005, he led a team to CT scan the mummy of King Tutankhamun. This project helped scientists learn about ancient diseases. His team continues to scan mummies. They hope to solve mysteries about ancient Egyptian lives.
TV Appearances
Hawass has appeared on many TV shows. You might have seen him on the National Geographic Channel or the History Channel. He discussed mummies, pyramids, and famous pharaohs. He was also on the show Chasing Mummies.
In 2006, he worked with another Egyptologist, Otto Schaden. They opened Tomb KV63 in the Valley of the Kings. This was the first intact tomb found there since 1922.
In 2007, Hawass announced a big discovery. His team might have found the mummy of Hatshepsut. She was a powerful female pharaoh. This mummy was found in a small tomb called KV60.
Hawass also hosted a documentary. It was called Egypt's Ten Greatest Discoveries.
His Views on Archaeology
Returning Artifacts to Egypt
Hawass strongly believes that ancient Egyptian artifacts should be in Egypt. He has led efforts to bring many important items back. These include the Rosetta Stone and the bust of Nefertiti. He believes these items are part of Egypt's identity.
He has asked museums in other countries to return these treasures. He wants them to be displayed in the new Grand Egyptian Museum.
DNA Testing of Mummies
Hawass has been careful about using DNA testing on mummies. He has said that it is not always accurate. But his team has used it for some research.
In 2010, his team studied the mummy of Tutankhamun. They suggested that King Tut might have died from a leg injury and malaria.
In 2020, a study by Hawass and his team looked at Tutankhamun's family. They found that the family's Y-chromosome group was R1b. This group is also found in modern Egyptians.
Ancient Egypt and Other Cultures
Hawass has spoken about the origins of ancient Egyptian civilization. He believes that the ancient Egyptians built their own unique culture. He points to evidence from temples and artifacts. These show the differences between Egyptians and their neighbors.
He has also talked about claims that aliens built the pyramids. Hawass says these ideas are not true. He explains that ancient Egyptian workers built the pyramids. He uses ancient texts and tombs as proof.
Biblical Stories and Archaeology
Hawass has stated that archaeology does not directly prove some biblical stories. He said there is no archaeological evidence of Moses or Joseph living in Egypt. He also said there is no proof of the exodus of the Israelites. He believes these are matters of faith, not archaeological fact.
Personal Life
Zahi Hawass is married to Fekrya Hawas. She is a doctor. They met in 1967. They have two grown sons. One is a doctor, and the other runs a restaurant in Cairo.
He was good friends with the famous actor Omar Sharif. He was also friends with Jehan Sadat, who was Egypt's former First Lady.
Awards and Honors
Hawass has received many awards for his work. He won Egypt's top state award for restoring the Sphinx. In 2002, he received the Golden Plate from the American Academy of Achievement. This was for protecting ancient Egyptian monuments.
In 2006, Time magazine named him one of the world's 100 most influential people. He has also received many honorary degrees from universities around the world.
He has also been honored by several countries:
Algeria: Knight of the National Order of Merit (Algeria)
Austria: Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver with Star
Egypt: Grand Cordon of the Order of Merit (Egypt)
France: Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
Italy: Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Japan: Gold and Silver Star of the Order of the Rising Sun
Peru: Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru
Poland: Officer of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
Spain: Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters of Spain
Books and Writings
Hawass has written and co-written many books about Egyptology. Some of his books include The Curse of the Pharaohs: My Adventures with Mummies. Another famous book is King Tutankhamun: The Treasures from the Tomb. He also writes regularly for Egypt Today magazine.
Main Publications
- The Great Book of Ancient Egypt: In the Realm of the Pharaohs, 2018
- Giza and the Pyramids, 2017
- Scanning the Pharaohs: CT Imaging of the New Kingdom Royal Mummies, 2016
- Highlights of the Egyptian Museum, 2011
- Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt, 2010
- King Tutankhamun: The Treasures of the Tomb, 2008
- Mountains of the Pharaohs: A History of the Pyramids of Egypt, 2006
- Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs: A Souvenir Book, 2005
- How The Great Pyramid Was Built, 2004
- Curse of the Pharaohs: My Adventures With Mummies, 2004
- Hidden Treasures of Ancient Egypt: Unearthing the Masterpieces of Egyptian History, 2004
- The Treasures of the Pyramids, 2003
- Secrets from the Sand: My Search for Egypt's Past, 2003
- Valley of the Golden Mummies: The Greatest Egyptian Discovery Since Tutankhamun, 2000
See also
In Spanish: Zahi Hawass para niños
