“Tutankhamun’s tomb will not be closed in the near future. It is a long-term plan that has not been decided upon yet,” Zahi Hawass, chief of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, told Discovery News.
Many reports in the past two weeks announced the closure of this tourist magnet by the end of this year.
The long-term plan involves a $10 million project called the “Valley of the Replicas.”
Visitors will be directed to exact reproductions of the original tombs. The first three replicas will be the tombs of Tutankhamun, and the already closed burial sites of Seti I and Queen Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens.
The three original tombs will remain open to tourists willing to pay a very hefty fee, perhaps as high as $8,500 per visit.
Posted by : Yasmine Aladdin
Reference : allaboutegypt.org
Monthly Archives: January 2011
Tutankhamun’s tomb will not be closed in the near future !
Egyptian Archaeologists Festival
Recently we celebrated the fourth annual Festival of Archaeologists at the Cairo Opera House. I began the idea four years ago of having a day to celebrate the achievements of Egyptian archaeologists, and making a place for them to meet together and with their foreign colleagues.
Egyptian Archaeolgestis Festivals
I chose the date of January 14th to hold this celebration because it is the anniversary of the date in 1953 that Mostafa Amer became the first Egyptian to be named the head of Egyptian antiquities. This marks an important moment in Egyptians gaining authority over their own heritage, so I decided it would be the best date, and we hold the celebration at the Opera House in Cairo, which is a very beautiful space.
Now we meet on this day every year, beginning at 7 pm, with a 15-minute film talking about all the projects that Egyptian archaeologists are running. These include museums and site management programs for pharaonic, Coptic, Jewish, and Islamic sites and monuments, as well as training programs that we are implementing.
Dr.Zahi speaks during the Festival
Then I give a speech about the progress Egyptian archaeologists have made, and this year was very special, because for the first time, my dear friend Omar Sharif came to address the archaeologists. He gave a very nice speech and he introduced me. I spoke about what Egyptian archaeologists have gained in the past few years, especially since I became the head of antiquities. Salaries have been increased, we are making a social club for archaeologists, and we have also increased the retirement benefits greatly. This year we are also getting good health insurance for everyone. There is no comparison to how things were in the past, now salaries are very high, and young archaeologists can make a good living, while in the past it was not a well-paid profession. Now Egyptians are able to travel outside Egypt with exhibits, but people are chosen by their qualifications and seniority, not their connections. We are also encouraging Egyptian archaeologists to publish their work in academic journals, for example the “Annales du Service des Antiquities de L’Egypte.” I also reward the Egyptian archaeologists on the day of the Festival with a bonus.
Dr.Hawass and chief of the guards at Giza
This is the fourth year of the festival, and I was planning on saying goodbye in my speech, as I was planning to retire in May. However, thanks to President Mubarak, who appointed me Vice Minister so that I would not have to retire, I can now complete all of the projects that I began. After my speech, we honor great Egyptian archaeologists who have died. This year we honored Abdel Moneim Abu Bakr, who was a professor of Egyptology at Cairo University, he taught me when I was an archaeology student at the University of Alexandria.
We also honored Mohammed El-Saghir, who was the director of antiquities in Upper Egypt for a long time. Nassif Hassan was chief inspector of the pyramids for a long time, and I worked with him as his second for a while, he was a very nice man. We honored Kamel Malekh, who found the boat of Khufu, he was a good friend of mine and encouraged me when I was younger. He went on to edit the last page of the Al-Ahram newspaper after he discovered the boat. After we remember those who came before us, we honor people who are working now in projects throughout Egypt.
This year we honored people like Ahmed Salah, who was the head of restoration, and also my friend Ali Radwan, who has done a lot for Egypt. One of the most important aspects of the Festival is honoring guards who have done good work, the directors of workmen on excavations, and others whose work deserves notice. The most interesting award I gave this year was to Mohammed Abdul Razzik, who was the chief of the guards at Giza. When I was searching for the tombs of the pyramid builders, and I was working with my friend Mark Lehner, our season ended without discovering anything. But in August 1990, an American tourist was riding a horse when it tripped over a mudbrick wall on the plateau, and Mohammed Abdul Razzik came immediately to inform me about the accident. When I came and saw what had been found, I said this must be the location of the tombs of the pyramid builders, and I came to one of my most important discoveries. I said all of this in my speech, and then Mohammed Abdul Razzik came before 1500 people as a hero, and there were 500 more people outside who could not fit in the Opera House.
After the awards were distributed, the Opera House presented part of the Opera Aida for the guests, and it was a very beautiful performance. I hope that this Festival of Archaeologists will continue every year, that we might not forget the important contributions of Egyptian archaeologists to our field.
Memphis Tours Egypt Since 1955
Reference: drhawass.com
Posted By: Shaimaa Ahmed
President Mubarak, Amr Moussa and Canadian Ambassador, Karagov reply to Alexandria Coptic Church Explosion !
President Hosni Mubarak
Today, President Hosni Mubarak revealed – in a speech Sunday on the occasion of Eid, the Egyptian judiciary -that Egypt’s judges will remain a fortress immune to Egyptians in the face of terrorism and extremism, because their judgments protect the homeland security and social peace, as contributing to the consolidation of the principle of citizenship there is no difference between Coptic and Muslim.
On the other hand, Secretary-General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, after attending the pray on Sunday at the
Secretary-General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa.
Church of Our Lady of Deliverance( Sayedat El-Nagah) in Egypt , where the church gave a speech addressed not only to the Copts in Iraq, but the Copts of the Middle East, said: “We are brothers lived and live together, and any crime occur no matter how horrible is the exception rather than the rule, I’m talking to you as a brother and an Arab citizen and human being horrified What happened, and I came with a sense of the oldest fraternal condolences, and I pledge to you support your position with full force before the coming of these evils, and would be better. “
Met Moussa in all Christian denominations in a meeting chaired by Alcadrebagl Emmanuel Dell, Head of the Community Chaldeans, and Dares, including an aside asked him the need to be ordered before the Arab summit, and there should be clear steps by the Arab states and governments to support Christians in the Middle East, and in return promised Moussa to meet the request, but provided support to stay in the Arab homelands and rejected calls for European Migration.
However, Canadian Ambassador, Karagov, incident Church of Alexandria as a terrorist act and not sectarian but it 
is possible to be an opportunity and a new beginning to unite Muslims and Copts in Egypt to counter terrorism and extremists, especially as it enjoys the Egyptian society of tolerance deep there is not in countries such as Pakistan, because Egypt is a moderate, religious and secular Country.
It has a base of tolerance must be reaffirmed and continued. We have expressed our condemnation of this tragic incident and sent condolences to Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and we hope that the efforts exerted by the Egyptian government to prevent acts of violence results in the near future.
The Canadian Ambassador in Cairo revealed that the bilateral relations between the two countries have close ties aimed at strengthening cooperation and investment.
Canadian Ambassador in Cairo informed to restore two of the mummies Pharaonic said she was found in Canada and was able to return to Egyptian side in collaboration with Dr. Zahi Hawass, head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, who get along with a strong friendship, saying, “When you are a friend of Zahi Hawass, you are a friend of the world,” adding ” encourage Canadians to visit Egypt because of its wealth in the attractions that might not be known to the Egyptians themselves, which attracts many tourists Canadians.
Reference: youm7.com
Posted by : Yasmine Aladdin
Parts of Amenhotep III’s double statue uncovered in Luxor
Six missing pieces belonging to the double statue of 18th Dynasty’s King Amenhotep III were uncovered at his funerary temple in Luxor
Dr,Zahi Hawass ans the uncovered fragments
130 years after the discovery of the colossal of King Amenhotep III and his wife Queen Tiye, six missing statue pieces have been uncovered at the king’s funerary temple on Luxor’s west bank. The colossal double statue is currently the centerpiece of the main hall at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The fragments were found during excavation work carried out by an Egyptian team under the directions of Zahi Hawass, secretary general of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA).
At the excavation site, Culture Minister Farouk Honsi stated that the parts were discovered130 years after French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette unearthed the double statue in Medinet Habu on the west bank of the Nile.
Hawass explained that when the statue was first discovered in 1889 an Italian team restored it, filling in the missing pieces with modern stonework. Several of the newly discovered pieces belong to the figure of Amenhotep III’s, making up the right side of the chest, nemes headdress, and leg. The pieces belonging to the statue of Queen Tiye include a section of her wig and pieces from her left arm, fingers and foot. A small section of the base of the double statue was also found.
The measurements of the six missing fragments range from 47cm to 103cm. These pieces are currently being held at the site of Amenhotep III’s mortuary temple on the west bank, but will soon be relocated to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, where they will be restored and fitted into the colossal.
Amenhotep III’s double statue
Archaeologist Abdul Ghafar Wagdy, the supervisor of the excavation at the site in Luxor, said that these pieces were found as part of a project to lower the ground water on the west bank of Luxor. These fragments are only a few of nearly 1,000 pieces that have been found dating from the Pharonic era to Coptic era
Memphis Tours Egypt Since 1955
Reference: ahram.org.eg
Posted By: Shaimaa Ahmed
The face of Tutankhamun
Every time I go to the Egyptian Museum with visitors or a film crew, I always love to take them up to the room of Tutankhamun’s treasures and show them the boy king’s golden mask. This beautiful treasure, which was unfortunately cut from the face of Tutankhamun with hot knives, is one of the most beautiful and stirring images of ancient Egypt. I have worked so much with Tutankhamun and his family over the past several years and we continue to look for the tomb of his wife, Ankhesenamun, in the Valley of the Kings. In addition to the search for her tomb, we are working on a full-scale, exact replica of Tutankhamun’s tomb, which will hopefully be installed soon next to Howard Carter‘s rest house in Luxor. Tut’s replica tomb will be the first in a new “replica valley” that will include the tombs of Seti I and Nefertari, which have long been closed off to the public.
King Tut Mask in the Egyptinan Museum
The Deminsion of the Golden Mask of king Tut is 54 cm Height and 39.3 cm Width. The death mask of King Tut is a magnificent sight, gleaming with hammered gold and semi-precious stones. King Tut was buried in three golden coffins, two wooden ones with gold overlay and the third of gold. The well-known artifact, the golden mask, covered the head of the mummy on the third and most elaborate coffin.
Memphis Tours Egypt Since 1955
Reference:drhawass.com
Posted and edited by: Shaimaa Ahmed
Egypt Nile Cruise and Travel Packages
Egypt Holds a lot of secrets, Monuments, Tombs, People, Culture, Inspiration, Pyramids, The Nile River, Streets, Joy, beauty, Variety in religions and more uncountable secrets that you can discover when you walk in its spiritual streets, when you smell the air of its great civilization. Introducing Egypt in words isn’t the perfect way to explore the magic of the city of magic. Egypt attract every year millions and millions of visitors.
Cruise on Nile River Between Luxor and Aswan
Egypt Nile Cruise is definitely the most fantastic and interested thing to do in Egypt. Spend a few days on board one of the 5* Nile Cruise to sail for about 5 to 8 days along the Nile River at the same time explore the magnificent beauty of the Egyptian Monuments and temples.
The Nile has been one of the main secrets of the prosperous of the ancient Egypt and the long lasting of it’s civilization. Explore the secrets of the Nile River and the spread monuments on it’s banks.
Memphis Tours Egypt provides Egypt’s visitors with a large variety of Nile Cruises with different options and customization your tour option. Nile Cruise tour starts from Luxor, no words can describe the meaning of Luxor. Luxor is the city of the ancient ruins, during yourNile Cruise you will have the chance to walk little around this beautiful city where in every corner you can see a landmark of the human progress in using the stone and math.
Visiting the landmark of Luxor then spend some time relaxing on board your Nile Cruise and enjoying the sun rays with the warm breeze of the Nile River with different activities organized specially for the joy and to provide more fun to our travelers.
It’s the time for Aswan, The city of the Upper Egypt, a part of the Egyptian heritage if it’s not most of the heritage. Nice People with amazing weather and hospitality from the locals, of course during your Nile cruise you will be introduced to the monuments of the city of Aswan.
Dahabyia Nile Cruise
The Luxury of the Nile, it’s all about Dahabyia Cruise. Dahabyia is a small cruise holds a few cabins with a very limited number of people it’s more like a private cruise for honeymooners and it’s the perfect choice to enjoy your new life and even for the couples who wants to celebrate their anniversary.
Enjoy the combination between modern Egypt and ancient Egypt. A few days on board 5 Stars Nile Cruise in Egypt is by far one of the most interested things to do in Egypt to enjoy the beauty of Egypt and the comfortable trip you would ever have.
Nile Cruise for the handicapped also is available. Appreciating People with special needs is one of our top priorities and the 5 stars Nile Cruise is provided with 5 stars facilities as the Nile River 5 stars cruises were designed to meet the needs of travelers who are seeking for a memorable and unforgettable holiday in Egypt full of amazement and happiness,,,,, Enjoy Your Tour to Egypt
Memphis Tours Egypt Since 1955
Creates by: Shaimaa Ahmed
Obelisk in Central Park
Since 1880 a beautiful obelisk commemorating King Thutmose III has stood in Central Park in New York City. This obelisk is one of a pair – the other one currently stands in Westminster in London.
The Central Park obelisk of Thutmose III. (Photo: Richard Paschael and Dorothy McCarthy)
It has recently been brought to my attention that this incredibly valuable monument has been severely weathered over the past century and that no efforts have been made to conserve it. Because one of the main focuses of my tenure as Secretary General has been the conservation and protection of Egyptian antiquities, I feel it necessary that I fight for the restoration of this obelisk. Today I sent a letter to the president of the Central Park Conservancy and the Mayor of New York City asking for their assistance in caring for this artifact. I would like to share it with all of you:
“I write to you as someone who shares a mutual interest in conserving precious historical treasures for future generations. I applaud the efforts of the City of New York and the Central Park Conservancy in restoring this beautiful space, but I would like to draw your attention to a monument that I, and many others, believe have been overlooked in the park.
I am sure you are well aware of the obelisk of Thutmose III, referred to as “Cleopatra’s Needle,” that has resided in Central Park since 1880. I am glad that this monument has become such an integral part of New York City, but I am dismayed at the lack of care and attention that it has been given. Recent photographs that I have received show the severe damage that has been done to the obelisk, particularly to the hieroglyphic text, which in places has been completely worn away. I have a duty to protect all Egyptian monuments whether they are inside or outside of Egypt. If the Central Park Conservancy and the City of New York cannot properly care for this obelisk, I will take the necessary steps to bring this precious artifact home and save it from ruin
I strongly urge you to focus your efforts on saving this obelisk and preserving it for future generations. I am confident that you can find the resources in New York City to conserve this monument properly and pay this treasure the respect that it deserves. I eagerly await your prompt reply.”
Close-up of text on the obelisk which has been severely eroded from exposure to the elements. (Photo: Richard Paschal and Dorothy McCarthy)
I hope that this letter will spur the city of New York into action. This obelisk is a one of a kind monument that cannot be replicated or replaced. I sincerely hope that both the Mayor of New York City and the Central Park Conservancy can work together to save this artifact and preserve it for many more generations to come.
Memphis Tours Egypt Since 1955
Reference: drhawass.com
Posted by: Shaimaa Ahmed
EGYPT 
