The Alexandria Yacht Club hosted Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass and granted him honorary membership.
During the lecture, the Egyptian archaeologist revealed the details of the decision of his committee formed to review the “Cladding the Pyramid” project, which came by refusing to reinstall any of the granite blocks around the body of the Menkaure Pyramid, and the necessity of preserving the pyramid’s current condition without any additions.
Hawass said that it is difficult to retrieve these stones, after he presented a report on the excavations around the pyramid and studied the issue.
He stated that these stones are granite, measuring 7 sqm, and have been around since the time of King Menkaure, adding that international laws stipulate that the general appearance of the antiquity should not be changed.
Hawass added that the Sphinx is a solid rock, and that the statue of the Sphinx belongs to King Khafre, the founder of the second pyramid, who explained to him how to build the pyramids, pointing out that those allegations that say that there is a lost city under the Sphinx have no evidence at all.
In addition, Hawass pointed out that Egypt has achieved a renaissance in museums, and that the Grand Egyptian Museum will provide the highest level of tourism advertising for Egypt, stressing that the world is awaiting the opening of the GEM.
Hawass added that part of the GEM has been inaugrated, and a great effort has been made in it, pointing out that there is a dazzling display of the museum’s holdings. "The Tutankhamun Hall in the museum is astonishing ... The museum has no equal in the world."
Hawass added that a well about 15 meters deep was found in the area of Gisr el-Mudir, located in Saqqara, and at the bottom of this well a room was found inside which was a limestone coffin of its owner, called “Haka Shabis,” and many stone vessels were found around the coffin. "It turned out that this coffin had not been touched, and had been completely closed for about 4,300 years. When the lid of the coffin was opened, we found a mummy of a man covered with gold foil. This is considered the most complete and oldest non-royal mummy found so far."
Moreover, the Egyptian archaeologist explained that the archaeological mission in Luxor succeeded in uncovering the golden city in Luxor, and that work began on the city site to search for the funerary temple of King Tutankhamun, but that city was found, which is the largest administrative and industrial settlement in the era.
"The first to establish that city was the great King “Amenhotep III” of the 18th Dynasty, who ruled Egypt from 1391 to 1353 BC. His son, the future heir to the throne Amenhotep IV, who also shared with him the last eight years."
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