The Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities and Heritage will begin in September this year its first set of activities by launching a significant public campaign for the return of Egyptian antiquities illicitly taken abroad, including the famous Nefertiti Bust.
Unearthed in 1912 by German archaeologist Ludwig Borchardt at Tel El-Amarna in Upper Egypt, the limestone bust was unlawfully removed from the country and is presently exhibited at the Neues Museum in Berlin.
Hawass said he would ask people to sign a petition that advocates for the return of the bust.
“It’s crucial to consistently emphasise that these artefacts rightfully belong to Egypt,” Hawass said during a lecture this week.
He added that his foundation would act as a hub for research, education, and training for local and foreign antiquities lovers.
The primary goal of this work, he said, is to advance cultural heritage awareness among children, youth, and the broader community.
The world-famous Egyptologist noted that his foundation would also participate in excavation missions organized by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, publish scientific studies, manage antiquities restoration and upkeep endeavours, and offer cultural, scientific, and research support to these endeavours.
“Field trips will be arranged to promote understanding of archaeology and create training programmes in excavations,” Hawass said.
He highlighted his dedication to incorporating the history of these artefacts into educational curricula across all academic levels, ranging from primary schools to universities.
Hawass’ foundation is a non-profit that is officially registered with the Ministry of Social Solidarity.
During the lecture, Hawass elaborated on his significant findings and contributions to the field of archaeology.
He shared his profound connection to the Khufu Pyramid where he spent 30 years trying to solve its mysteries.
Hawass’ research team has recently uncovered a new understanding of the pyramid’s internal layout, utilising cutting-edge non-invasive technologies.
He told the audience that he addressed critics’ claims of concealing evidence of alien involvement in constructing the pyramids, firmly asserting that abundant proof confirms the ancient Egyptians as their creators.
In 2010, his archaeological team uncovered mud brick tombs of the labourers who constructed the Giza pyramids, all bearing Egyptian names.
Hawass also rejected the recent uproar caused by a group of Afrocentrics who visited the Egyptian Museum and spread misinformation, suggesting that the Egyptian civilisation has Black origins. He dismissed these claims as both ‘unfounded’ and ‘illogical’.
Although the Black Kingdom of Kush briefly held power over Egypt at the end of the Pharaonic era, he said, it was the long-established Egyptian civilisation that had a significant influence on the Kushites, rather than the other way around.
Highlighting depictions on Egyptian temples, Hawass pointed out that the features of the Egyptian king, captured standing before African, Libyan, Syrian, and Palestinian captives, lacked traits associated with any black ethnicities.
