Dr. Zahi Hawass hass addressed recent rumors and false claims circulating on social media regarding the alleged damage to a wooden statue’s headdress during its unveiling in Saqqara. In his statement, Hawass clarified that the statue was uncovered by the Egyptian excavation mission in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Antiquities at the Gisr el-Mudir area in Saqqara.
According to Hawass, the statue is in excellent condition and was not damaged during its discovery. It was found inside a small niche within a tomb dating back to the Fifth Dynasty, approximately 4,300 years ago. Hawass, who personally led the excavation, explained that he carefully removed the sealing block that covered the niche to reveal the statue, following standard scientific documentation procedures.
He emphasized that the statue was not touched during the unveiling process. Upon revealing it, the statue was identified as being made of local wood, belonging to an official from the Fifth Dynasty. It stands no taller than 53 cm, including its base, and is coated with a layer of plaster not exceeding three millimeters in thickness.
A restoration team, led by Dr. Ashraf Owais, General Director of Saqqara Restoration, conducted preliminary treatments at the discovery site to ensure the statue’s stability before transporting it to the restoration lab. After the initial on-site work, the team meticulously packed and secured the statue for safe transport. They continued the cleaning and consolidation process at the lab, reattaching fallen plaster layers and documenting the restoration activities in a detailed report.
The statue is currently preserved in good condition in the area’s storage facility, considering its age and the materials used in its creation. Hawass also revealed that legal action is being taken against websites and social media accounts involved in spreading false information and defamation, as well as those who published content without authorization.
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