Antiquities and Ancient Art

Priceless Heritage Goes Up in Egyptian Flames; Rosetta Stone and Nefertiti Bust Safe

This past weekend's disgusting display of brutality and violence once again on the streets of Cairo, sadly has left the world a much emptier place. On the street where people were inhumanely beaten dead or unconscious with sticks and raw boots to the head, an historic building containing some of the world's great treasures burned helplessly.

The building, the Egyptian Insitute, was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte during the French Campaign in 1798. It housed 200,000 books and documents, of which an estimated 40,000 were rare manuscripts including an original copy of the ‘Description de l'Egypte’ written by the scientists of the French campaign to Egypt (1798-1801). All lost to humanity, thanks to a molotov cocktail.

Tragic fires can happen anywhere in the world as can riots as was witnessed on the streets of London this past summer. But thousands of miles away from the flames that obliterated more of the world's important historical heritage in Cairo, the bust of Nefertiti, the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles and other priceless cultural objects were safe and sound. But clearly, future generations are best served when cultural patrimony is not concentrated in any single country.

Click here for an account of the fire in Egypt.

The Curious Case of Dr. Zahi Hawass, Egypt's Antiquities Frontman

Zahi Hawass has been in the media a lot lately, but not in ways he is accustomed to. The supreme and ebullient promoter of all-things-ancient in Egypt (and beyond), is  more widely know outside his country's borders than its now deposed president thanks to ubiquitous appearance on shows related to Egyptian archaeology.

But Zahi is facing new challenges and a storm of criticism from those in his country who know him best.  They argue that Zahi's agenda was self-promotional, imperious and used to provide lucrative contracts, such as the bookstore in the new Cairo Museum, to friends.  His supporters say his notoriety and passion for Egyptian culture make him the best qualified for the government post he held, and depending upon the day, may still hold. 

The archeological world outside of Egypt has been fairly quiet on the topic. Zahi's magnetic personality is an instant guarantee of success in promoting an exhibition or discovery, but when his attention turns to repatriation of objects big and small his provocative and direct verbal assaults can instantly redden the faces of even the world's greatest museum directors. 

And his wrath extends far beyond what's in museums, as head of secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, he personally approves every permit for achaeological excavation within Egypt's borders.  So, it's his way or the highway.

Still, even his critics must admit that Zahi has been masterful at raising global awareness of Egypt's ancient past.  The big question, as explored in more detail in this Washington Post article, is whether Zahi's on-air personality is large enough to survive his off-air tactics.