Sun. Jul 7th, 2024

The researcher and professor of Egyptian antiquities and cultural heritage, Monica Hanna, submitted a report to Counselor Mohamed Shawqi, the Attorney General, against Zahi Hawass, head of the archaeological missions in Saqqara and the Valley of the Kings.

The text of the report submitted by Hanna stated: “Regarding reporting the incident of exploiting the Library of Alexandria to receive external grants from unknown sources to finance the excavations of Dr. Zahi Hawass in the Saqqara region and the city of Luxor under the cover of the Zahi Hawass Center at the Library of Alexandria, and that this center is not subject to financial and accounting audit by the Library or by any other party. An external party, in violation of the Library’s regulations and the Antiquities Protection Law No. 117 of 1983 and its amendments, which stipulates that the identity of the sources of funds used in archaeological missions must be disclosed.”

The report explained that “the Zahi Hawass Center for Egyptology was established by a decision of the then head of the library, Dr. Mostafa El-Feki, in February 2018, and since then, the center was established primarily to collect external grants to finance Dr. Zahi Hawass’ excavations and projects in violation of the law in Saqqara, the Western Bank of Luxor, and the pyramids area, which are grants that are not permitted.” Included in the budget of the Library of Alexandria.

The report added: “Dr. Zahi Hawass obtained external grants from some research institutes, such as the American Research Center, to finance his excavations, but the largest portion of funding that he receives is from unknown sources of individuals from abroad whose identity is hidden under the cover of the Zahi Hawass Center at the Library of Alexandria, and is not subject to This center is not subject to any legal or financial accountability and is not subject to the Central Auditing Organization. The center is used to collect funds in foreign currencies from unidentified persons from several countries, as these grants do not enter the official accounts of the Library of Alexandria and are not published in the financial audit reports.”

The communication indicated that Hawass missions are considered to be in violation of the law because they are not affiliated with any scientific institutions such as universities or institutes, in accordance with Antiquities Protection Law No. 117 of 1983 and its amendments.

He stated that Hawass is excavating in six different places: the Valley of the Kings, the tomb of Ramses II, the Valley of the Apes, the Golden City, Medinet Habu, Saqqara, and the Pyramids of Giza, without the knowledge of the Library of Alexandria, and that the workers in these missions are employees of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and they receive a large fee.

In her report, Hanna called for an investigation into those who facilitate these violations within the Supreme Council of Antiquities, a review of the requests submitted by the Library of Alexandria for these missions and taking the necessary legal measures to protect archaeological scientific work in Egypt.

 

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