Guardian's Egypt - Copyright © 1995-99 Andrew Bayuk
All Rights Reserved
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Guardian's Egypt - Copyright © 1995-99 Andrew Bayuk All Rights Reserved |
Born in Damietta, Egypt on May 28, 1947, Zahi Hawass is presently the Undersecretary of the State for the Giza Monuments. He was the General Director of the Giza Pyramids and Saqqara and Bahria Oasis from 1987-98. In 1998, he was promoted to the Undersecretary position. Hawass studied in both Egypt and the United States, receiving his Bachelor of Arts Degreein 1967 and his Diploma in 1980 in Alexandria, Egypt. Then he went to the University of Pennsylvania for Egyptology and received his Master of Arts Degree in 1983 and earned his Ph.D.in 1987.
Hawass has been a consultant for several documentaries, films, television specials and magazine stories throughout the years. He has taught courses and given lectures in both Egypt and the U.S. and holds several committee appointments. He is a Member of the Board of the Cairo Museum, the German Archaeological Institute, the High Council of Culture (History and Archaeology), the Fellowship Committee, E.A.O., the Committee for the Restoration of the Sphinx and several others.
Hawass very strongly supports the restoration of the Sphinx. He stated that the Sphinx has "cancer" due to the "wrong restoration." In an interview with NOVA, he stated that he is trying to stop the spread of this cancer. The restoration plan Hawass has implemented includes moving the parking area, picnic area and vendors away from the monuments and adding a ventilation system to the Sphinx to decrease the trapped moisture from the visitors breath. Much of the restoration plan has been implemented already. With Zahi Hawass at the head of this task it is sure to be finished.
Along with restoration, Hawass is also in charge of excavations. He has uncovered many interesting sites, such as the tomb of the workers at Giza. He has also found an unusual statue and some new views of life through the art in the pyramids. He believes there is much more to find under the sands of Egypt.
Written by: Students in an Ancient Egypt Class, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota 2001