Today, Friday marks the birthday of Egyptian archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass, who is one of the most prominent archaeologists, not only in Egypt but around the world as well.
Hawass enlightened many celebrities from around the world with stories of ancient Egypt, including former US President Barack Obama, Princess Diana, Shakira, Paris Hilton, and most recently Will Smith.
On his birthday, let’s revisit what the prominent archaeologist received as his first gift.
Hawass revealed that the first gift he received was a pajama from his mother, at that time children wore their new pajamas, like it was a suit, outdoors in the countryside.
He noted that the pajama was the most valuable gift that he had ever received and had a very special meaning.
Hawass shared that he did not like to celebrate his birthday and used to prevent the employees working in antiquities during the period he served as the chief inspector, the general secretary, and the Minister of Antiquities, from celebrating his birthday.
He noted that there are many people around the world congratulating him on his birthday, as he allocated a special e-mail to receive emails from any person in the world.
It is worth mentioning that Hawass was born in a small village near Damietta, Egypt, in 1947, and used to dream about becoming a lawyer.
He obtained a bachelor’s arts degree in Greek and Roman antiquities from the Alexandria University in 1967 as well as received a Fulbright Fellowship from Pennsylvania University, in Philadelphia, to study Egyptology.
Hawass also obtained a master’s degree in arts in Egyptology and Syrian-Palestinian Archeology in 1983, and a Ph.D. in Egyptology in 1987.
He served as chief inspector of the Giza but left the position in 1993 and was reinstated a year later.
Hawass also served as director of Giza in 1998, and as the Secretary-General of the Antiquities Supreme Council in 2002.
During his work in the pyramids, he discovered the workers tombs who built the Giza Pyramids, the Golden Mummies Valley in the marine oases, and the oases ruler cemetery.
Hawass was later appointed as the first Minister of State for Antiquities.
Contributed by Yara Sameh
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