Egyptologist Stands Up to Hawass

Chief Egyptologist egomaniac Zahi Hawass has begun to come under criticism from some Egyptian egyptologists and members of the media for his behavior. Specifically, his rough handling of excavations (as he condemns "unauthorized" archeologists for their work) and obsession with positioning himself in every media opportunity as a great discover.

These criticisms are particularly noteworthy in that they are coming from Egyptians, making it difficult for Hawass to simply dismiss them as foreign amateurs intent on plundering his country. As typical, Hawass' reaction is to condemn. Read the article HERE.

For those not familiar, Hawass is the secretary general of the Supreme Council on Antiquities in Egypt. With a board he has developed to be loyal to him, he has for several years seriously restricted access to Egyptian sites for foreign archeologists. However, he has very aggressively launched his own digs, secured exclusive television programs opening tombs and exploring the famed hidden shafts of the Great Pyramid, and launched a campaign to demand artifacts be returned from foreign museums.

Hawass is simply an ego-maniac, drunken with his own self-importance and love for attention. He has succeeded in creating a virtual dictatorship over access to key sites in Egypt. It's a great development that he is beginning to come under fire from fellow archeologists who have refused to toe the line.