News: Famed Egyptologist Zahi Hawass Appointed IFPSD Cultural Heritage Ambassador

The International Federation for Peace and Sustainable Development chose Egypt's Hawass for his contributions to the field of archaeology, in both excavation and conservation. Written By/ Nevine El-Aref.

Renowned Egyptologist and former Minister of Antiquities, Zahi Hawass has been selected by the International Federation for Peace and Sustainable Development (IFPSD), an affiliate organisation of the United Nations, as its official "Ambassador for Cultural Heritage."

Sally Kader, the President of IFPSD said the federation chose Hawass for his contribution to the field of archaeology, in both excavation and conservation. "His major discoveries in Egypt are known all over the world," Kader said, adding that Hawass was "able through his passion and TV shows to reach the households of people from all over the globe."

Kader will announce Hawass' appointment at a special ceremony on 19 April at the UN headquarters in New York City. The event will be attended by most of the Ambassadors of the United Nations, along with world experts and contributors in the fields of culture, museums and archaeology.

Hawass told Ahram Online that he was deeply honoured to receive the title, saying he would speak at the event about saving the archaeological and cultural heritage of Syria, Libya, and Iraq. "I would work in cooperation with the Arab League, archaeologists from all over the world, as well as American institutions to save these endangered archaeological monuments," Hawass said.

"Our task is to create a database for these monuments, so we can monitor any objects that could be stolen. Also, we aim to train the archaeologists and museum curators of these countries on how to save their monuments in archaeological sites, and efficient methods for protecting treasured collections [respectively]."

Hawass referenced Syrian archaeologist Khaled El-Asaad who gave his life to protect Syria's cultural heritage, saying he should be honoured as a symbol for all archaeologists. After the announcement, Hawass said he would meet with Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enany and Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abul-Gheit to draw comprehensive plans to protect cultural heritage in these conflict zones.

Source: Ahram Online

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News, Dahshur: Studies on Newly Discovered Pyramid Point to 13th Dynasty King Kamaw

Minister of Antiquities Mohamed El-Nany 

inspects site of new discovery   

Preliminary studies on hieroglyphs found in newly discovered pyramid ruins in the Dahshur necropolis have revealed a cartouche of the 13th Dynasty King Emny Kamaw, Adel Okasha, director-general of the Dahshur necropolis. Written By/ Nevine El-Aref.

Okasha said that offering texts are engraved on the ruins, as well as a female name of the king's family.  

Okasha said that excavation work is ongoing to reveal more of the pyramid's secrets.

Earlier this week, an Egyptian mission from the Ministry of Antiquities uncovered remains of the pyramid. 

Okasha says that the structure is composed of a corridor leading to the inside of the pyramid, a hall leading to a southern ramp, and a room at the western end.

An alabaster block measuring 15cm by 17cm has been found in the corridor, engraved with 10 vertical hieroglyphic lines that are still being studied. 

A granite lintel and a collection of stony blocks showing the interior design of the pyramid have also been uncovered.

Source: Ahram Online

Find More About Dahshur Discoveries  Here

News: Egypt Lighted Up in Blue for World Autism Day.

As part of the Light It Up Blue (LIUB) global campaign for World Autism Awareness Day, Cairo tourist attractions and most prominent landmarks to light up in blue on April 2.

Many landmarks joined the campaign including Giza pyramids, the Cairo Opera House, The American University in Cairo (AUC), Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt (CCHE 57357) and the Citadel among many others marking this worldwide event.

The day aims to raise awareness on autism in a society where children and adults with this disorder are often stigmatised.

This year, the Egyptian Autistic Society has launched its large-scale national awareness campaign under the slogan, “yes I’m autistic, but I’m much more” in an attempt to attract attention to key issues surrounding the disorder in Egypt.

Egypt participated in the awareness day for the first time in 2014, with the Citadel of Cairo illuminated in blue and purple to mark the day.

Designated by the United Nations on April 2 of every year, World Autism Awareness Day encourages efforts to raise awareness of children with autism and bring attention to this often-misunderstood neurological disorder.

Source: Egyptian Streets

New Discovery, Dahshur: Remains of 13th Dynasty Pyramid Discovered in Dahshur Necropolis

The newly discovered corridor in Dahshour.

(Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Antiquities) 

Archaeologists have revealed a portion of the pyramid's internal structure, described as being in very good condition. Written By/ Nevine El-Aref.

The remains of a 13th Dynasty pyramid have been discovered by an Egyptian archaeological mission working in an area to the north of King Snefru's Bent Pyramid in the Dahshur Necropolis.

Mahmoud Afifi, the head of the ancient Egyptian antiquities sector at the antiquities ministry, announced the find, adding that the remains are in a very good condition and further excavation will take place to reveal more of the structure.

Adel Okasha, director general of the Dahshur Necropolis, explained that the portion of the pyramid uncovered so far shows a part of its inner structure. 

This structure is composed of a corridor leading to the inside of the pyramid and a hall that leads to a southern ramp, as well as a room at the western end, he said.

An alabaster block measuring 15 cm by 17 cm was also found in the corridor, engraved with 10 vertical hieroglyphic lines that are still being studied. 

A granite lintel and a collection of stoney blocks showing the interior design of the pyramid have also been uncovered.

Further studies will be conducted to identify the owner of the pyramid and the kingdom to which it belongs.

Source: Ahram Online

Find More About New Discoveries in Egypt Here

News, Giza: Lab Opens at Egypt's Pyramids to Restore Pharaonic Boat

Egypt is inaugurating its largest on-site antiquities laboratory, to restore the second ceremonial boat of Pharaoh Cheops, known for building the largest of Egypt's iconic pyramids.

The project, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Higashi Nippon International University, is set to complete the initial phase of repairs of the 4,500-year-old vessel by 2020.

Eissa Zeidan, head of the project's Egyptian restoration team, told The Associated Press that the lab, at the site of the Giza pyramids, was necessary for some of the boat's 1,264 pieces, which are too fragile or large to move.

The vessel and its sister boat, on display near the Great Pyramid, were discovered in 1954 and are believed to have been buried with the pharaoh to carry him into the afterlife.

Source: Ahram Online

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News, Alexandria: 4th Century Imperial Bath Complex Inaugurated in Egypt's Alexandria

Khaled El-Enany on the site of The bating complex in Kom Al-Dikka 

Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enany and members of parliment inaugurated Alexandria's cistern and imperial bathing complex area in the Kom El-Dikka archaeological site. Written By/ Nevine El-Aref.

The area had been undergoing excavation and restoration since 1960 by an Egyptian-Polish mission from Warsaw University.

Mahmoud Afifi, head of the ministry's Ancient Egyptian Antiquities Department, said that the newly inaugurated area will be included within the Kom Al-Dikka tourist path, which includes the Roman amphitheater, the bird villa and residential houses from the Hellenistic period until the Islamic era.

El-Enany describes the bathing complex as "one of the finest edifices of its time," and that the bathing halls had welcomed hundreds of bathers at a time.

The complex also includes palestrae for physical exercises, colonnade passages and amenities such as public latrines. Water was supplied to the complex using huge cisterns and heated by a complex system of furnaces and pipes.

The minister and the parlimentary delegates also paid a visit to the planned Mosaic museum in downtown Alexandria to inspect the ongoing work and address any obstacles to its completion.

During the tour, Mohamed Abdel Maguid, director-general of the Underwater Archaeological Department, introduced a three-phase plan to develop the Qayet Bey Citadel and its surroundings.

Abdel Maguid also reviewed a plan for the construction of the first underwater museum beneath the city's eastern harbour, which once was the ancient Alexandria royal area. AbdelmMaguid suggests the building of an underwater park to promote diving as well as the establishment of a training centre for underwater archaeology.

Source: Ahram Online

 Explore Alexandria City From Here

Re-Opening Museum, Cairo: Egyptian Museum of Islamic Art Now Open in The Evening on Saturdays

Fountain on Display at The MIA

As part of an effort by the Ministry of Antiquities to increase historical awareness among Egyptians, the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Babul Khalq will be open for visitors on Saturdays till 9pm. Written By/ Nevine El-Aref.

Elham Salah, the head of the Museums Department at the ministry, said that in addition to its regular hours of 9am to 4pm, the museum will now also be open from 5pm to 9pm on Saturdays starting this week.

Salah added that this move aims at attracting more visitors as well as promoting museum tours in Egypt.

A cultural programme will be also held in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture at the MIA garden every Saturday evening to entertain museum visitors.

The MIA is the second museum to recently extend its visiting hours into the evening. The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir is now open on Sunday and Thursday from 5pm to 9pm.

Source: Ahram Online

Find More About Re-Opening Sites in Egypt  Click Here