"Zahi Hawass Foundation" Unlocks the Secrets of Sunken Civilizations in an Extraordinary Lecture at Prince Taz Palace

 The Zahi Hawass Foundation for Antiquities and Heritage organized yesterday evening, Monday, July 6, 2026, an extraordinary scientific and educational lecture titled "Underwater Archaeology: Secrets of a Sunken Civilization." Held at the Prince Taz Palace Creativity Center in the El-Khalifa district, the event is part of the Foundation's ongoing cultural programs aimed at promoting archaeological awareness. The seminar drew a distinguished, high-profile audience, including leadership figures from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, alongside prominent academics.

Leading the notable attendees were Dr. Mohamed Shaaban, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Digital Services and Digital Transformation; Dr. Gamal Mostafa, Advisor to the Secretary-General for Islamic Antiquities; Dr. Diaa Zahran, Head of the Islamic Antiquities Sector; and Mr. Mohamed Abdel-Badei, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector. The event was also attended by Dr. Nashwa Gaber, Deputy Director of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC); Mr. Said Shebl, Head of the Antiquities Registration Sector; Dr. Moamen Saad, Director General of the General Administration for Oversight of Archaeological Outlets; and Dr. Islam Salim, Director General of the Diving and Marine Activities Department at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, alongside a gathering of archaeologists and heritage enthusiasts.

The lecture was delivered by Dr. Ahmed Rahima, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and General Supervisor of the Central Training Unit. Dr. Rahima guided the audience through an engaging historical and educational journey into the depths of the sea, exploring several critical scientific and strategic themes. The session began with a comprehensive and in-depth introduction to the specialized field of underwater archaeology, tracing the origins of this precise science and discussing the logistical and technical challenges that archaeologists face beneath the surface, while debunking widespread misconceptions associated with the discipline.

Furthermore, he provided a concise global overview of the most significant underwater archaeological sites around the world, before pivoting to local breakthroughs to highlight Egypt's pioneering role in this field. He reviewed the early beginnings of underwater discoveries in Egypt, the historical narratives behind them, and the most prominent sites dotting the Egyptian coastlines—specifically in Alexandria, the North Coast, and the Red Sea. These sites serve as living testaments to successive historical eras spanning the Pharaonic, Ptolemaic, and Roman periods.

The lecture concluded with a comprehensive analytical overview of the Egyptian state's continuous institutional efforts in discovering underwater antiquities. It also highlighted the modern technological mechanisms, such as sonar and radar scanning equipment, utilized to preserve, protect, and restore these treasures as an inseparable part of global human heritage.