‘I’m NOT Hiding ANYTHING!’ Egyptologist Zahi Hawass Grilled On Pyramids By Experts

Dr. Zahi Hawass strongly refutes claims of hiding archaeological evidence or being a 'gatekeeper.' He states that every discovery is published in scientific articles or books, making all information accessible to the public. He challenges critics to provide scientific evidence for their alternative theories.

Hawass states, "Everything we discover, we publish it in a scientific article or in a book." He also mentions publishing details about tunnels under the Sphinx and findings from drilling under the Sphinx in his books.

The Grand Egyptian Museum, a $2 billion project, is the largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilization. It was built to counter arguments against repatriating artifacts, demonstrating Egypt's capability to house and display its heritage beautifully. It showcases over 5,000 artifacts, including the complete Tutankhamun collection, attracting significant international attention and daily visitors.

Hawass details the museum's cost ($2 billion), its role in the debate about returning stolen artifacts, and its daily visitor count of 15,000 since opening. He mentions moving significant statues and Khufu's boat to the new museum.

Hawass is spearheading a petition for the return of three specific artifacts: the Bust of Nefertiti (Berlin), the Rosetta Stone (London), and the Dendera Zodiac (Paris). He argues these were illegally removed and represent core Egyptian identity, asserting that museums displaying them participate in 'imperialism' if they refuse repatriation.

Hawass quotes his petition, stating, "When artifacts are removed from Egypt illegally in sold, this only encourages and emboldens thieves." He specifically calls the Rosetta Stone "the icon of the Egyptian identity."

Advanced scanning and robotic technologies have revealed a 30-meter corridor and other voids within the Great Pyramid of Khufu. Hawass believes these discoveries are linked to Khufu's true, hidden burial chamber, which he aims to uncover using new non-invasive techniques like ultrasound and infrared by June.

Hawass states, "Kufu's real burial chamber is still hidden inside the pyramid and this voids has to do with this burial chamber." He mentions an English team working with new techniques and plans to explore in June.

Hawass maintains 100% certainty that ancient Egyptians built the pyramids, citing extensive evidence like the diary of Merer, an overseer of workmen, which details stone cutting and transportation. He dismisses theories of alien involvement or advanced lost civilizations due to a lack of supporting archaeological findings.

Hawass refers to the 'Dadi Eljar Babi' papyrus, a diary of an overseer named Merer, found in 2017, which describes the process of cutting and transporting stones for Khufu's pyramid. He challenges alternative theorists to provide evidence.