Wednesday, March 30, 2011
He's Back....
Just when we thought he was gone, Zahi Hawass has been reappointed Egyptian Minister of Antiquities. See http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/8906/Egypt/Politics-/Hawass-is-persuaded-back-into-Egypt-Minister-of-An.aspx Presumably the serious allegations of corruption made against the SCA in general and against Hawass personally will now be swept under the rug. More evidence that Egypt's revolution is at best cosmetic. And, no doubt elements within US law enforcement, who have also hitched their own stars to the AIA, to Hawass and their repatriation efforts will also help discourage any US effort to ascertain whether corrupt Egyptian government officials dipped into the millions of dollars the US taxpayer has spent on Egyptian archaeology.
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2 comments:
This is rather harsh. I myself welcome his return. He has done good things to promote Egyptology around the world.
Corruption there certainly is -- Egypt is a country in which corruption is endemic. It would not surprise me if Zahi Hawass was obliged to deal in a certain amount of this. But let's keep things in perspective. Unlike so many Egyptians, Dr H. genuinely is enthusiastic for ancient Egypt. Just imagine a Taliban replacement, eager to line his pockets and stick his finger up at the infidel?
This doesn't mean that I agree with all his policies. The attitude taken to antiquities overseas is wrong, although unavoidable politically for a man in his position.
The manner in which academics who fawned on the man turned and sneered when he fell from power ... that WAS fairly disgusting.
Dear Roger Pearse;
Unless I have completely misunderstood your words, you admit that Egypt is overflowing with corruption and that Zahi Hawass is no doubt a part of that -- but we should embrace his return because he is a flamboyant and enthusiastic showman? Did I forget to say egocentric? How can Zahi Hawass be good for Egyptology when he advocates total retentionism and control over scholarship. You must be part of a very small minority who welcome his return. Fortunately, Egyptology will outlive those who prey on it for their own enrichment and Zahi Hawass, like all of us, will one day become dust. I doubt there will be any pyramid erected in his honor.
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