PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2020: consultant for culture to prince Badr Eldine ALSaud, Minister of culture of Saudi
Arabia.
2019: June – August, Guest Scholar at the Getty Conservation Institute. 1200 Getty Center
Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90049.
2019: 2016: Member of the board of trustucees arce
2016: Member of the board of trustees of the center of the
Mediterranean Civilisations, Sohag University.
2018: Member of the board of trustees of new giza university
2015: Consultant for ministry of tourism to do cultural promotions in spain, united states and
Canada
2017: Consultant for ministry of foreign affairs to give lectures for the ambassadors of the
UN at the temple of dendur at the metropolitian museum of art new york
2016-2017: Member of the committee of repatriation of the ministry of antiquities till now
2017: Director of the scientific committee to review the work of Scan pyramids
2014: January – August, Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Sierra Nevada College. 999
Tahoe Boulevard, Incline Village, Nevada 89451.
EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT POSITION
2011: January 31-March 7, Minister of State for Antiquities. For the first time, the government made Antiquities as a separate Ministry.
2011: Minister of State for Antiquities March 30 to July 17
2002-2011: Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities As Secretary General of the SCA, I have worked to preserve and protect Egypt’s ancient monuments through the implementation of the following
Programs:
I – Introducing the concept of site management to Egypt. In the past, the proper management of antiquities sites was poorly understood here, but as Secretary Generalof the SCA, I have begun to implement the following strategies to ensure that Egypt’santiquities sites are properly maintained:
- Enforcing zoning around ancient monuments, using natural boundaries and constructing walls to delimit and protect antiquities
- Constructing visitors’ centers with facilities and educational materials includingfilms to introduce visitors to the
- Building sidewalks to guide tourists around the sites and improve access
- Developing a comprehensive conservation plan for each
- Instituting training programs for the personnel who maintains the sites
- Major conservation and restoration programs of whole sites. Examples of sites with completed site management plans: The unfinished obelisk at Aswan, the Temple of Edfu, the Temple of Kom Ombo, the Temples of Luxor and Karnak, the Valley of theKings, Deir el-Bahri (Temple of Queen Hatshepsut), the Temple of Dendereh, Tell Basta, Pompey’s pillar in Alexandria, El Moezz Street in Islamic Cairo, KomMadi in Fayoum, Temple of Kalabsha, and the site of Kom El Dekaa in Alexandria
- Other sites under development: Abydos; Kom el Shokafa-Alexandria; Abu Rowash; Tanis; Dahshur; Memphis; The Elephantine in cooperation with the German Institute
- Sites almost completed: The Giza Pyramids; Saqqara; The Valley of the Queens in cooperation with the Getty-Conservation Institute; Tell El Amarna – the visitor center is completed roads to the tombs and conservations of the tombs; Abousir; Lisht.
II – Revitalizing Egypt’s museum system, transforming Egyptian museums from outdated storage facilities into modern, world-class cultural institutions. More than nineteen new museums are under construction:
- The Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza
- The Sohag National Museum
- The Sharm El-Sheikh National Museum
- The Hurghada National Museum
- The Citadel Coin Museum, Cairo
- The Akhenaten Museum, Minya
- The Mosaic Museum, Alexandria
- The Faiyum Portrait Museum
- The Marine Museum, Alexandria
- The Greco-Roman Museum, Alexandria
- The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Cairo
- The Underwater Museum, Alexandria
- The Royal Chariot Museum-Cairo
- Development of Kafr El Shiek Museum
- Development of Port Said Museum
- In addition, we are redeveloping Egypt’s existing museums by re-envisioning their design, re-organizing their collections, and updating their facilities.
III – Improving security at antiquities sites. Theft and vandalism have taken animmeasurable toll on Egypt’s monuments over the centuries, but as Secretary General of the SCA I have taken the following measures to protect our antiquities from furtherlosses:
- Strengthening Egyptian laws regarding theft and vandalism of Changes to law 117 of 1983 have imposed more severe penalties for antiquities-related crimes, and a new law, will make it possible for us to pursue legal action in Egypt against international offenders suspected of theft or vandalism to monuments. The theft of antiquities will be a crime under the new law. Also, the SCA now holds the rights to replicas of antiquities and a certain number of monuments will be trademarked. The Parliament approved an extension to the new law. I had a fight with some members of the Parliament who wanted to make Antiquities trade legal within the country.
- Building 36 new storage facilities to house objects that have not been registered as part of museum collections. These new facilities include electronic equipment to improve security, and are also equipped with modern photography and conservation labs. There is almost a store in every city in Egypt. These types of storage magazines saved the Antiquities of Egypt during the Revolution of January 2011
- Having electronic databases created to record all of the objects in museum collections and storage facilities throughout Egypt. A team from the documentation center, and in the Cairo Museum are conducting this work
- Providing better training and pay for security personnel at antiquities sites, museums, and storage facilities
IV – Supporting educational programs to raise awareness of Egypt’s history among both children and adults. I have encouraged the establishment of organizations such asthe Friends of the Egyptian Museum, Islamic, and Coptic Museums, and thedevelopment of museum education programs for children and adults.
The SCA now also supports programs in schools, programs in which children create sculptures of Egyptian monuments and antiquities in sand, and summer programs at museums, as well as educational opportunities abroad for our personnel. The SCA has also developed a program in which children help to publish their own magazine entitled Golden Boy for Kids. Also, there was an adult popular magazine, called Happy and another magazine called Our Antiquities Today.
V – Working to bring stolen artifacts back to the people of Egypt. I have actively promoted the return of illegally obtained objects in museum and private collections abroad, and Egypt’s efforts to have important artifacts repatriated have become an inspiration to other countries around the world. Since I became Secretary General of the SCA, over 5,000 stolen treasures have been returned to Egypt, and officially wrote to Germany for the return of the bust of Nefertiti. Two Exhibits for the recovered stolen artifacts were organized in the Cairo Museum.
VI – Supporting the professional development of Egyptian scholars. I have worked to ensure that young Egyptians have access to the best training available in modern excavation, conservation techniques, museums, and site management, and the SCA now helps obtain scholarships and placement in programs abroad for promising young archaeologists, conservators, and museum professionals. It is my belief that this is the most important step that can be taken to protect Egypt’s monuments – ensuring that Egyptians, who are charged with the primary responsibility for the care of our antiquities, are prepared to accept the challenges facing Egyptology as we move into the future.
PROFESSIONAL POSITION
Fieldwork
2020–present: Director of the excavation near to the pyramid of Teti.
2020–present: Director of the excavation inside the tomb of Ramses II in the Valley of the
Kings.
2019–present: Director of the excavation of the Lost Golden City, north of Medinet Habu.
2019–present: Director of the Egyptian Mummy Project.
2018–present: Director of Saqqara excavations, in the Gisr el Moudir, and the cemetery of
Teti.
2017–present: Director of the excavation in the West Valley of the Kings.
2017–present: Director of East Valley of Kings excavation.
2017: Director, Scanning the Valley of the Kings Project.
2011–2016: Excavation at Teposiris Magna for the search of Cleopatra.
2008–2011: Director of excavation at the Gisr el-Mudir, Saqqara.
2007–2011: Excavation Director, area near the tomb of Merenptah,Valley of the Kings,
Luxor to locate the tomb of Rameses VIII; Director, ground-penetrating radar
survey, Valley of the Kings, Luxor, to locate previously unidentified tombs;
Excavation Director, Tomb of Seti I in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor; Director of
the West Valley Excavation, Luxor; Director of Excavation on the North Entrance of
Amenhotep III, Temple at Kom-El Hitan.
2006–2009: Excavation in the area between the back of the Sphinx and the pyramid of
Khafre at Giza.
2006–2007: Director of excavation at the temple of Ramses II at Akhmim.
2006–2009: Director of excavation at the temple of Ramses II at Heliopolis.
2005–2011: Director of the Egyptian Mummy Project (EMP).
2005–2011: Director of excavations at Taposiris magna in Alexandria in cooperation with the
Dominican Republic University with Dr. Kathleen Martinez.
2002–2008: Director of the excavation of the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan.
2002–2008: Director of the excavation of the underwater of the Nile River in Aswan.
1999–2002: Excavation Director, Valley of the Golden Mummies and 26th Dynasty site at
Bahariya Oasis; responsible for the discovery of the Valley of the Golden Mummies,
a site important both to scholars and the general public.
1999–2005: Excavation Director, Western Mastaba Field at Giza; research and excavations
have revealed important information concerning the Tombs of the officials in this
area
1996–2001: Excavation Director, pyramid of Menkaure at Giza
1996–1998: Excavation Director, area near the north side of the causeway of Sahure at
Abusir
1995–1999: Excavation Director, area in front of the Valley Temple of Khafre at Giza
1994–1995: Excavation, the Osiris Shaft at Giza
1993–1994: Excavation Director, area south of the pyramid of Menkaure near the ring road
1992–2011: Excavation Director, pyramid complex of Teti at Saqqara; responsible for the rediscovery
of the pyramid of Queen Khuit, and the pyramid of Queen Shesti, near the
pyramid of Teti at Saqqara, along with other New Kingdom tombs and artifacts
1991–1994: Excavation Director, Nazlet-el-Batran
1991–1995: Excavation Director, Old Kingdom Settlement at Giza (Nazlet el Samman)
1991-1994: Excavation Director, Beni Youssef
1990–2011: Excavation Director, Tombs of the Overseers of the Pyramid Builders at Giza;
responsible for the discovery of these tombs, which have provided an amazing
glimpse into the lives of the people who constructed the royal monuments at Giza
1990–1991: Excavation Director, Causeway and Valley Temple of Khufu at Giza
1988–1995: Excavation Director, Western Mastaba Field at Giza
1987–1988: Excavation Director, site of Kafr el-Gebel east of the Sphinx at Giza
1980: Excavation Director, Old Kingdom site in front of the Sphinx Temple and northeast
corner of the Sphinx at Giza
1979-1980: Excavation Director, Archaic Period cemetery at Abou- Rawash Co-Director,
excavation to the northeast of the Sphinx at Giza
1978: Co-excavation Director, Old Kingdom site at the northeast corner of Sphinx
1978: Director of Excavation-cause way and valley Temple of Khufu
1976–1977: Archaeological Survey in South Yemen on behalf of the Egyptian Antiquities
Organization and ALECSO
1976: Director of Preliminary Excavations at Merimde Beni Salama
1975: Excavation Director, Pharaonic and Greco-Roman sites at Kom Abou Bellou, Delta
Excavation Director, Late Period site at Khus Abou Zied, Embaba Province
1970–1974: Associate Excavation Director, Pharaonic and Greco-Roman sites at Kom Abou
Bellou
1968: Associate Excavation Director, Greco-Roman site at Ashmunein, Middle Egypt
Conservation work
2020: Director of a restoration team for the conversation and the restoration of the tomb of
Ramses II.
2002-2011: Director of Conservation of Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish monuments in
Old Cairo:
• 10 Jewish Temples in Cairo and Alexandria; 2 Temples completed, 2 Temples under
restoration, and 6 Temples currently being studied.
• Hanging Church in Cairo (ready to be opened) and 2 monasteries in the Red Sea;
Deir el Anba Bulla and Deir el Anba Antonio.
-Director of Conservation of the Temple of Hibis in Kharga Oasis
-Director of Conservation and Restoration of the Step Pyramid and the South Tomb, Saqqara
(The north-south eastside is finished and the burial chamber
-Director of Conservation of the Serapeum at South Saqqara Phase I to open
-Director of Conservation of Coptic and Islamic monuments in cities outsideCairo, including
Islamic houses in Rashid –El Moez street; over 33 houses and mosques were
restored. The street was closed to cars and was lighted. -3 mosques in Damietta –
Old houses in Rashied and Zughul Mosque –Bab-Ziuila in Cairo –Over 20 mosques
were restored in Cairo –The restoration of the Temple of Denderah, the removal of
the black spots from the temple.
-The restoration of the sphinxes on the Sphinx Avenue between Luxor and Karnak Temple
-The restoration and the excavation of the second boat pit, south of the Great Pyramid in cooperation
with Waseda University
2005: we examined the mummy of Tutankhamun. In 2006, we found that the female
mummy in KV60 to be the Mummy of Queen Hatshepsut, also revealed the family of
Tutankhamun and examined the Mummy of Ramses III to find out the cause of his
death. And, studied also the mummies of the 19th Dynasty.
1999: Director of Conservation of three tombs to the south and east of Khufu’s pyramid
Director of Conservation of the pyramid of Khafre at Giza Director of Conservation
of the tomb of Khent-kawes, the tombs south of Khafre’sCauseway, and the
funerary temple of Khafre
1998-2000: Maintenance of conservation of the Great Sphinx at Giza
1998-1999: Implementation of conservation plan for the site of Abusir Director of
Conservation of the Great Pyramid of Khufu
1998-1999: Director of Restoration of the Sphinx Temple
1998: Completion of the restoration of the Great Sphinx at Giza
1998: Director of Conservation of the three Queen’s Pyramids near the GreatPyramid of
Khufu
1998: Director of Restoration of the Senedjem-Ib tomb complex and the tombs of Debehen
and Iun-Min
1991-1994: Director of Restoration of the interior of the Pyramid of Unas at Saqqara
1990-2011: Implementation of site management program for the Giza Plateau we finished a
great deal of work such as the road of the electrical cars and the areasouth of the
third pyramid that will contain the Visitor Center, camel and horses stables,
Bazaranea, parking and others.
1990-1992: Director of Conservation of the Alabaster Sphinx and statue of Ramesses II at
Memphis
1990: Director of Conservation of Old Kingdom tombs at Saqqara Director of Conservation,
pyramid of Menkaure at Giza Director of Conservation, Tombs of the Nobles and
Officials at Giza
1989-1992: Director of Conservation of the Late Period tombs at Bahariya Oasis
1989: Director of Restoration, Great Pyramid of Khufu at Giza
1987-1993: Director of Conservation, Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara
1987-1988: Director of Conservation, pyramid of Khafre at Giza
1987: Research Director of the Egyptian Mummy Project (EMP). We were able toreceive a
CT-SCAN machine as a gift from National Geographic and 2 DNA labs, one under
the basement of Cairo Museum and other at Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University,
supported by the Discovery Channel.
Consulting
2021: Consulting for the Netflix special on Saqqara, The Search for Imhotep.
2021: Consulting on the Discovery Channel coverage of the Golden City, Luxor.
2021: Consulting for NHK Science History.
2021: Consulting on the CT and DNA for National Geographic, for the search for Nefertiti
and Ankhsenamun.
2019: The Discovery Channel, Consulting on the finds of the West Valley.
2018: Consultant to Exhibitions international and iMG for the publicity of the King
Tutankhamun exhibit
2000: Member of the Master Jury of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture
1997: Consultant for the IMAX film on Egypt produced by the National Geographic Society
Advisor for The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt.
986: Consultant for “The Pyramids,” a televised documentary produced by the Unicorn
Project and funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities
1984-1985: Consultant to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History on the preparation of
artifacts for an exhibition interpreting the humanistic aspects
of ancient Egyptian culture, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities
1984: One of five Egyptologists to review an American public television special based on
David Macaulay’s book Pyramid, produced by the Unicorn Project and funded by
the National Endowment for the Humanities Consultant to National Geographic
Magazine for a story about recent discoveries in Egypt and for a documentary film
1982: Consultant to Global Concepts and lecturer for Global Speakers, New York
1980: Consultant for the Attiya Foundation’s Agriculture Exhibit, Washington, D.C.
1977-1990: Archaeological Consultant to the Arab League
Teaching Experience
2021: Ain Shams University, Faculty of Archaeology, Appointed as a visiting professor
2014: Sierra College
2001: American University in Cairo: Old and Middle Kingdom Archaeology
2000: Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo Ministry. Excavation Techniques
2000: Helwan University, Faculty of Tourism: Old and Middle KingdomArchaeology
1998: University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Near Eastern Languages and
Cultures,Visiting Professor: Egyptian Culture
1998–1999: Cairo University, Faculty of Arts, History Department: History of Egypt and the
Near East
1997–present: Institute of Tourism, El- Mokattam: Egyptian Archaeology
1995–1997: University of California, Los Angeles, Departments of History and Near Eastern
Languages and Cultures: Egyptian Archaeology
1992–1993: American University in Cairo: Old Kingdom Egyptian Archaeology
1994: University of California, Los Angeles, Visiting Professor
1990: Tourism Institutes at Heliopolis (Midan el Hegaz), El-Mokattam, and Giza: Egyptian
Archaeology (in English)
1988–1992: Alexandria University, Faculty of Arts, Egyptology and Greco-Roman
Departments: Egyptian Art, Architecture, Religion, and Archaeology
1988: University of Pennsylvania, College of General Studies: Six weeks course on the
Culture and History of Ancient Egypt and the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World