Zahi Hawass receives first American delegation since coronavirus outbreak

Egyptian prominent archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass received the US Consul in Cairo, Mr. Jeff Lodinsky and a high-level American delegation in front of the Great Sphinx, for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak.

The delegation included intellectuals, writers, university professors and public figures.

Hawass told the delegation that the Great Sphinx belongs to King Khafre, founder of the second pyramid.

He also addressed claims about the existence of a lost city under the Sphinx, stressing that these claims are baseless and have no scientific evidence.

Hawass noted that that there are pictures of the excavation that was made, which shows that the Great Sphinx is a deaf rock, with no paths below.

[caption id="attachment_221135" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Zahi Hawass receives first American delegation since coronavirus outbreak[/caption]

The prominent archaeologist also talked about the recent archaeological discoveries that he made in Saqqara and his excavations in the Valley of the Monkeys in the Western Valley.

Hawass revealed that he is currently searching for the tomb of Imhotep in Saqqara, adding that he will announce a new archaeological discovery from Luxor in April.

Hawass added that the most important discovery in the 21st century is the discovery of the Wadi al-Jarf papyrus, which uncovered many secrets about the building of the pyramid of Khufu, explaining that the archaeological discoveries made by the Ministry of Antiquities greatly promote Egyptian tourism in all countries of the world.

Dr. Mostafa Lotfi, tourism expert and chairman of the Dominant Company, confirmed that the company was able to organize high-level tourism trips with Dr. Hawass by sending a message to the whole world that Egypt is safe and inviting them to visit Egypt.

[caption id="attachment_221136" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Dr. Mostafa Lotfi, tourism expert and chairman of the Dominant Company[/caption]

Hawass indicated that before the end of March, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi will receive a royal procession of mummies from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat.

Contributed by Yara Sameh