Pharaohs in Saudi Arabia, Op-ed

By Dr. Zahi Hawass

Dr. Jasir El Herbish, the Executive Director of the Saudi Heritage Commission, invited me to give lecture on the latest archaeological discoveries in Egypt and bridging between the archaeologists in Egypt and in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

I gave the virtual lecture through Cisco Webex from Cairo. I addressed many topics such as the secret doors we found inside the great pyramid, the excavation works beneath the Sphinx to refute any myths about the existence of any hidden secrets beneath the statue, the discovery of the pyramids workers' tombs, and the cities where they lived.

Then, I talked about the excavation works at the Valley of the Kings to express our work for being the first Egyptian archaeological mission to work at this site and our search for Nefertiti, and her daughter Ankhesenamun as we think that she was buried at the Eastern Valley of the Kings.

Furthermore, we succeeded in unearthing the tomb that carries the number 65 at the Western Valley, besides revealing 45 royal gold, furniture, and pottery workshops and mummification ones.

Regarding our discoveries at the Western Valley, we revealed a nameless tomb that carries the number 66 alongside beautiful inscriptions about the workers who established those tombs.

However, other topics were included in the lecture such as employing X-ray technologies and DNA tests to unveil the mummy of Hatshepsut, the secret of Ramses III's death, and the secret behind the young king, Tutankhamun's death before handling the journey of searching for Cleopatra and Anthony in Alexandria.

I supposed to have 30 minutes for receiving questions but I received more and more ones, also many other topics were discussed such as the methodology of moderating the archaeological sites, and the means of their protection. Moreover, the myth of Ramses III and Moses was handled.

It is worthy mentioning that the name of Ramses III was unearthed in Saudi Arabia which asserts the depth of the mutual ties between Egypt and the kingdom for more than 3000 years.

Contributed by Rana Atef and Ali Abu Dashish