In celebration of Egyptian Archaeologists' Day, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities and Heritage has officially announced the winners of the "Dr. Zahi Hawass Award for Best Archaeologist and Restorer" for the year 2025.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), presented the awards to the laureates, honoring their exceptional efforts in safeguarding Egypt’s ancient heritage and uncovering its long-hidden secrets.
2025 Award Recipients:
This year’s awards recognized a distinguished group of professionals for their outstanding contributions to fieldwork and restoration:
1. Archaeology Category:
Mr. Mohamed Abdel Fattah Ibrahim: Honored for his excavation project in the "Raya" region of El-Tor, South Sinai.
Mr. El-Sayed Fathy El-Talhawy: Recognized for the significant discovery of the tomb of "Prince User-Af-Ra" in North Saqqara.
2. Restoration Category:
Mr. Khaled Abdel Ghani: Awarded for the meticulous restoration and reassembly of the oldest stone royal version of the "Book of Amduat," belonging to Queen Hatshepsut, discovered in tomb KV20 in the Valley of the Kings.
A Message of Pride
Dr. Zahi Hawass, the world-renowned Egyptologist, expressed his profound pride in Egypt's local talent, stating:
"This award is more than just a material honor; it is a message of love and appreciation for every archaeologist and restorer working devotedly amidst the sands and inside the labs to preserve our ancestors' history. Our young archaeologists are the true guardians of civilization. The discoveries we are witnessing today in Saqqara and Luxor, alongside the precision restoration projects in the Valley of the Kings, confirm that the Egyptian school of archaeology is now at its peak, capable of revealing the secrets of our civilization to the entire world."
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled also emphasized his pride in the young Egyptian cadres and experts who daily prove their merit in managing and maintaining world heritage. He reaffirmed the SCA’s commitment to supporting such initiatives that boost morale and drive further scientific achievements and discoveries.
Selection Process
The Award Selection Committee noted that the winners were chosen following a rigorous review of submitted projects and professional biographies. The committee praised the high scientific and technical standards achieved by Egyptian teams across various archaeological sites.
This annual award serves as a cornerstone tradition for the Zahi Hawass Foundation, aiming to spotlight the "unsung heroes" of excavations and laboratories while inspiring future generations to uphold the highest scientific standards in Egyptology.
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