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Al-Ahram Weekly
11-07-2025
- Al-Ahram Weekly
New wave of discoveries in Egypt - Heritage - Al-Ahram Weekly
In recent months, Egypt has unveiled a rich array of new discoveries and restorations that span millennia, from the Old Kingdom to the Graeco-Roman era, offering new insights into ancient daily life, religious practices, and architectural ingenuity, reports Nevine El-Aref. These discoveries were carried out by the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) alone or in collaboration with international missions. From the vibrant chapels of Luxor's Karnak Temple and newly unearthed tombs in Aswan to the rediscovery of a lost Delta city in Sharqiya, these achievements not only deepen our understanding of Egypt's past but also reinforce the nation's global standing as a cultural and scientific heritage hub. As excavation tools meet ancient stone, Egypt's timeless story continues to unfold, layer by layer. At Karnak's Akh Menu Temple, a major restoration project has unveiled scenes depicted on the walls of the Southern Chapels, a cluster of seven interconnected shrines and two columned halls rich in colourful inscriptions and reliefs dating back to the reign of Thutmose III. This initiative was conducted by the Egyptian-French Centre for the Study of the Karnak Temples (CFEETK) in collaboration with the SCA. 'The restoration of the Southern Chapels not only preserves a remarkable part of ancient Egyptian architecture but also enriches the visitor experience by showcasing inscriptions and rituals that have remained hidden for centuries,' said Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the SCA, who described the restoration as a 'crucial achievement' that expands access to lesser-known archaeological sites and diversifies Egypt's cultural tourism offerings. The chapels feature vivid depictions of royal rituals, including Heb Sed jubilee celebrations and inscriptions declaring the site a 'Temple of Millions of Years'. The restoration efforts have also enhanced accessibility with ramps and signage, enriching the visitor experience and diversifying Egypt's cultural tourism offerings. Meanwhile, excavations at the Asasif Necropolis on the West Bank at Luxor have revealed undecorated wooden child coffins, ostraca, seals, faience figurines, and architectural remains, offering a more intimate look at the lives of non-elite individuals during the New Kingdom. At Nagaa Abu Asaba near Karnak, archaeologists have unearthed a massive mudbrick enclosure wall stamped with the names of King Menkheperre and his queen, alongside bronze moulds, Osirian figurines, amulets, and a beer-brewing facility. The discovery suggests the site was once an industrial and religious hub, illustrating the sophistication of ancient Theban society. At the Tell Al-Faraon (Tell Nebasha) site in the Sharqiya governorate, a British team from the University of Manchester has uncovered the remains of 'Imet', an ancient city dating back to the fourth century BCE. Multi-storey tower houses, grain storage facilities, and animal shelters paint a vivid portrait of urban life in the Nile Delta during the Late Period and the early Ptolemaic era. Excavation of the temple district has revealed the remnants of a monumental limestone floor and mudbrick columns believed to have formed a sacred procession route to the Temple of the Goddess Wadjet, reconstructed under kings Ramses II and Ahmose II. Among the standout artefacts are a faience ushabti, a bronze sistrum adorned with Hathor heads, and a carved stela of the god Horus on crocodiles, reflecting both everyday life and complex religious beliefs. In Aswan, an Egyptian-Italian mission working at the Qubbet Al-Hawa Necropolis has uncovered three rock-cut tombs from the Old Kingdom, some of which were reused during the Middle Kingdom. Although modest in decoration, the tombs retain false doors, offering tables, pottery, and hieratic inscriptions, providing new perspectives on social hierarchies and funerary evolution across the centuries. Mohamed Abdel-Badie, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the SCA, emphasised that the discovery expands our knowledge of cultural and economic transitions during the First Intermediate Period and beyond. Meanwhile, in the necropolis surrounding the Mausoleum of the Aga Khan in Aswan, a joint Egyptian-Italian mission from the University of Milan has unearthed several well-preserved Graeco-Roman tombs. The highlight was Tomb 38 housing a two-metre-tall, decorated limestone coffin bearing hieroglyphic inscriptions and the name Ka-Mesiu, a high-ranking official during the Graeco-Roman period. The tomb contains the mummified remains of adults and children, indicating multi-generational burials. These findings, according to Khaled, reflect complex burial practices that spanned both elite and middle-class individuals and adapted over time, especially during epidemics or economic hardships. Further research will involve CT scanning and the biological analysis of the remains to explore health conditions and demographics. Patrizia Piacentini, head of the archaeological mission, noted that previous discoveries have been made in the same area, including funerary terraces, animal sacrifices, and a possible Ptolemaic-era place of worship, highlighting the site's enduring sacred status. With these discoveries, Egypt continues to offer an inexhaustible trove of archaeological wonders, each a thread in the grand tapestry of a civilisation that shapes our understanding of the past. * A version of this article appears in print in the 10 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
08-04-2025
- Science
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Controversy over Pyramid claims - Heritage - Al-Ahram Weekly
Claims that a vast underground city has been discovered beneath the Giza Pyramids have sparked controversy and rejection among Egyptologists, reports Nevine El-Aref The Giza Plateau, home to the iconic Pyramids and the Great Sphinx, has long symbolised ancient ingenuity and human achievement. However, beyond its warm sands and weathered stone structures, a new controversy is beginning to unfold. Late last month, two scientists, Filippo Biondi of the University of Strathclyde in Scotland and Corrado Malanga of the University of Pisa in Italy, claimed that using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology they had identified what they described as a vast underground city stretching 2 km beneath the Giza Pyramids. According to their findings, the subterranean complex includes eight distinct vertical, cylinder-shaped structures spanning over 610 m beneath the Pyramid of Khafre. They also reported the presence of various unidentified structures detected at a depth of approximately 1,220 m, among them a structure containing a sarcophagus initially believed to be the tomb of a Pharaoh. These newly identified formations are said to be connected by underground pathways that lead beneath the surface and are believed to reveal hidden chambers and wells beneath the 4,500-year-old Pyramid complex. The scientists claimed that electromagnetic signals were converted into phononic data, which revealed what they interpreted as extensive infrastructure reaching thousands of metres below ground. The eight large vertical features, speculated to be wells or shafts, are believed to stretch over 1,980 m across and extend to depths of 610 m. The team also referenced the so-called 'Halls of Amenti', a mythical feature in Egyptian lore, suggesting it could include the legendary Hall of Records, a secret chamber believed by some to lie beneath the Great Sphinx or elsewhere within the Giza Pyramid complex and containing ancient knowledge about Egypt's earliest civilisation. The findings, made public through a reinterpretation of a scientific paper published in 2022 in the journal Remote Sensing and a video published on YouTube presenting the claim, had garnered thousands of viewers at the time of reporting, reflecting widespread public interest and speculation. Social media platforms lit up with reactions to the alleged discovery, as users on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok shared archived posts expressing fascination and excitement. Many referred to the purported find as 'a vast underground city'. Egyptologist and former minister of antiquities Zahi Hawass firmly rejected the claims, however, stating that the use of radar technology inside the Pyramid of Khafre was 'completely false' and amounted to 'fake news'. He emphasised that both researchers have never come to Egypt to do research, and the techniques cited in their report are neither scientifically approved nor validated by the archaeological community and radar experts. The findings were not peer-reviewed nor made publicly available in scientific journals, he said. 'No radar devices have been used inside the Pyramid,' Hawass confirmed, adding that there is 'no scientific evidence' to support the existence of the underground structures described. He explained that the ancient Egyptians had carved the base of the Pyramid directly from the natural bedrock to a height of approximately eight metres and that no columns or vertical shafts lie beneath it. He wondered about the purposes behind the claims, suggesting that the researchers wanted to argue that the Pyramids were not constructed as royal tombs, but rather as components of a sophisticated ancient power-generating system and that they were built by aliens not the ancient Egyptians. Hawass said that all the 120 pyramids stretching from Giza to Dahshour were built by the ancient Egyptians as royal tombs and national projects. He said that the Wadi Al-Jarf papyri, considered the oldest papyri in the world, is strong evidence that the ancient Egyptians were the Pyramid builders. The papyri contain the diary of Merer, the overseer of workers at Wadi Al-Jarf, 24 km south of Zaafarana and 119 km south of Suez, during the reign of King Khufu, showing how they constructed the Great Pyramid on the Giza Plateau. It tells how the workers transported stones from the Tora Quarry to the Plateau to build the Pyramids. 'These claims are nothing more than an attempt to diminish the achievements of ancient Egyptian civilisation,' Hawass stated. CLAIMS: Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), pointed out that the research was authored by two researchers, one of them with a background in electrical engineering and the second a specialist in industrial chemistry. Their study was published in Remote Sensing, a journal issued by a Swiss-based publishing house headquartered in Basel. Neither author holds formal qualifications in Egyptology, archaeology, or even remote sensing, the core discipline of the journal in which their work appeared. Khaled said that Remote Sensing is published by MDPI, a well-known open-access publisher. Under this model, researchers pay publication fees in exchange for making their work freely available to the public. 'While the journal claims to uphold a peer-review process, a closer look at the submission timeline raises questions,' Khaled said, adding that the paper was submitted on 30 August 2022, underwent review by 28 September, and was accepted for publication on 12 October. This turnaround time of approximately six weeks is unusually short for comprehensive peer review, particularly for a paper exceeding 30 pages in length. 'Scholars across disciplines generally recognise that rigorous peer review often requires several months to ensure methodological and scientific soundness,' Khaled said. An identical version of the paper can be found on the academic platform ResearchGate listed with a submission date of 7 October 2020. This earlier version lacks any indication that it underwent peer review, yet it mirrors the final published manuscript in both structure and content. This raises the possibility that the research was published largely unchanged, without substantial input from reviewers or the revisions typically required in academic publishing. 'The use of satellite technology to detect deep subterranean structures, particularly beneath solid stone formations such as the Pyramid of Khafre, presents significant scientific and technical challenges,' Khaled said. He added that the claim that SAR was used to identify corridors and columns at extreme depths under the Pyramid is not only highly speculative but may be technically implausible. 'SAR technology, while effective in certain geospatial applications, does not possess the capability to penetrate dense stone to the degree required for such claims. Although it is theoretically possible to interpret minute ground movements caused by natural seismic activity using the Doppler effect, the practical application of such a technique in this context remains highly questionable,' he said. The study also opens with a number of controversial assertions, including the claim that the Great Pyramid was constructed entirely from granite blocks weighing approximately 2.5 tons each fitted with millimetric precision over a span of just 15 to 30 years. This assumption is fundamentally flawed, as the bulk of the Great Pyramid was constructed from limestone, with granite reserved primarily for interior chambers. Even assuming the scientific methodology is theoretically sound, it must undergo thorough calibration and peer review to be considered valid. The input data used in the modelling software must also be rigorously verified, and both the data and processing methods must be made publicly available to allow independent validation. Publishing only the visualised computer outputs, without disclosing the raw data or computational methodology, undermines the credibility of the findings. In other words, even scientifically robust techniques can produce misleading results if the data input is inaccurate or manipulated to fit a desired narrative, Khaled said. CREDIBILITY: Egyptologists have raised concerns over the credibility of the findings for three reasons. First, the original study was published in 2022 and received little attention at the time, an expected outcome given its lack of scientific rigour and limited relevance. The recent surge in interest appears to stem from viral social media posts in March this year, accompanied by mention of a press conference. However, no reputable academic or scientific institution has claimed involvement or responsibility for such a presentation. Second, there is a significant inconsistency in citing a research paper focused on the Great Pyramid of Khufu within a video that claims discoveries related to the Pyramid of Khafre. If the same technique was used for both sites, despite the method not having been peer-reviewed or scientifically validated, questions arise regarding how the data was collected and why no separate peer-reviewed study was published specifically addressing Khafre's Pyramid. Resorting to social media videos, rather than scholarly publication, further undermines the credibility of the claim. Third, the claim involves the existence of eight cylindrical columns beneath the Pyramid of Khafre, each allegedly 648 m in height. This raises serious questions: how could such a high degree of precision be obtained using satellite imagery to examine what lies beneath the Earth's surface? Surrounding these columns are said to be spiral corridors, suggesting that the Pyramid resembles an oil-production platform resting on eight pillars, each extending 648 m deep, while the actual height of the Pyramid of Khafre above ground is only 136 m. Furthermore, it is claimed that at the base of these columns are two massive chambers, each measuring 80 x 80 m, and that a network of corridors stretching two km connects the Giza Pyramids underground. How were such highly specific underground features measured with satellite technology? If the claims are accurate, which recognised scientific institution conducted this study? And why were these findings not published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, but instead disseminated through videos on social media platforms? According to Yasser Al-Shayeb, professor of Rock Engineering and its Applications in Archaeology and Heritage at Cairo University and deputy director of the Centre for Archaeological Engineering, dismissed the study as 'neither accurate nor scientific'. 'The geology of the Giza Plateau is well known, thoroughly documented, and understood,' he said, adding that it consists of stratified limestone, which may include small voids or natural fissures, but the idea of massive columns or chambers hundreds of metres underground is scientifically implausible. Furthermore, it is inconceivable that the ancient Egyptians could have excavated and engineered structures of such scale at such profound depths using the tools and techniques available at the time. 'There is no doubt the ancient Egyptians were master builders,' Al-Shayeb acknowledged. 'We have examples of underground chambers in Saqqara and the Valley of the Kings, particularly during the third and fourth dynasties. However, those structures were typically carved at much shallower depths and even those required incredible effort and planning.' He pointed out that beneath the Great Pyramid of Khufu the only known subterranean chamber lies just 30 m below ground, a far cry from the 600 claimed in the controversial paper. 'It's a small space, and there are no inscriptions or records to suggest the existence of vast rooms or pillars. The engineering tools and manpower of the time would not have allowed for the excavation of such extensive and deep systems beneath solid rock,' he said. While new technologies have significantly expanded our ability to explore ancient sites, Al-Shayeb cautioned that they have their limitations. 'We use techniques like thermal imaging, tomography, and geophysical surveys to study these monuments,' he explained. 'But they don't allow for high-resolution imaging at such depths. Even seismic or electrical surveys, as used in the oil industry, cannot detect specific underground objects with the accuracy being claimed.' He also stressed the importance of transparency and scientific rigour in publishing such findings. 'If these claims were legitimate, they should have been published in a credible, peer-reviewed archaeological journal, not disseminated via social media or speculative videos. Moreover, raw data, methodologies, and imaging should be shared with the wider scientific community for validation.' He expressed concerns that such speculative claims dilute the real achievements of Egyptian civilisation and distract from ongoing scholarly efforts. 'The Pyramids are not just monuments; they are a symbol of national pride and global heritage. It's our duty to protect the truth about them, Al-Shayeb concluded. * A version of this article appears in print in the 10 April, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
28-01-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Attracting Spanish tourists - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt's tourism industry is working hard to attract more Spanish-speaking tourists, notably at last week's international tourism fair in Madrid, reports Nevine El-Aref Despite the decline in inbound Spanish tourism to Egypt following travel advisories issued in October 2023 in the aftermath of the geopolitical situation surrounding the Gaza conflict, the FITUR 2025 international tourism fair held last week in the Spanish capital Madrid brought a renewed sense of hope. It provided a crucial platform for Egypt's tourism industry to rebuild trust, reconnect with the Spanish market, and showcase its vast and unmatched diversity in tourism products to a global audience. Egypt's participation at FITUR 2025 served as a pivotal opportunity to foster partnerships, restore confidence, and position Egypt as a top-tier destination. The event underscored Egypt's readiness to welcome tourists with enhanced safety measures, improved infrastructure, and sustainable tourism initiatives. The Egyptian pavilion at the fair with its ancient Egyptian temple design highlighted the country's timeless heritage, vibrant culture, and diverse attractions including the Pyramids, Nile cruises, and the pristine Red Sea. It also showed off emerging destinations such as the North Coast and Siwa, while also spotlighting newer tourism segments like eco-tourism and wellness retreats. Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathi held discussions with key tour operators, travel agencies, and aviation companies working in the Spanish and Latin American markets at FITUR 2025. These stakeholders said that demand for travel to Egypt is on the rise, not only from Spain but also from the Latin American countries. They reviewed their plans to increase tourist numbers to Egypt and emphasised the need for collaborative efforts to achieve this goal. They proposed implementing co-marketing campaigns with the Egyptian Tourist Authority (ETA) in targeted markets to promote Egypt's diverse destinations, from ancient landmarks to beach resorts. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of leveraging Egypt's aviation incentive programme, which offers support to low-cost carriers to increase the number of available seats to the country's tourist destinations. Sebastian Ebel, CEO of the TUI Group, a leading international tour operator, announced the company's ambitious plans to expand its operations and reach untapped markets in the Far East and Latin America. He said that TUI would launch promotional campaigns to attract more tourists from these regions, citing significant demand for Egypt as a travel destination. He also expressed interest in including Egypt's North Coast and Alamein city in such travel programmes. To explore the potential of these destinations, TUI plans to organise a fact-finding trip to the North Coast and Alamein City to assess what they could offer to its clientele. Ibrahim Suleiman, CEO of Explora Traveller and Air Cairo, shared the company's strategy to attract between 40,000 and 50,000 tourists this year to Egyptian destinations from Spain and Latin America. And Alberto Gutierrez, CEO of Civitatis, an online travel agency with over 25 million followers, proposed organising familiarisation (FAM) trips in partnership with the ETA. These trips would allow agents and influencers to experience Egypt firsthand, enhancing promotional efforts in the Latin American countries. Gutierrez also recommended co-marketing campaigns to bolster Egypt's visibility and appeal in these markets. Carlos Gomez Suare, CEO of Iberia Express, discussed the company's plans to study the feasibility of launching seasonal flights to Luxor and Aswan. He also revealed a potential initiative to establish low-cost flights between Egypt and the Latin American countries, contingent on evaluating costs, returns, and technical requirements. He stressed the importance of benefiting from Egypt's aviation incentive programme to make these plans viable. Further emphasising the growing interest in Egypt in different markets, Juan Carlos, CEO of Avoris, a major tour operator, highlighted high demand from Mexico and Colombia. He stated that the company plans to enhance promotional efforts in these markets, ensuring that Egypt remains a top choice for travellers in the region. Similarly, the CEO of Viajes Carrefour noted the exceptional demand from Spain and Latin America for Egypt as a tourist destination, with daily reservations for trips to Egypt ranging from 150 to 200 during the 13 to 24 January period. Viajes Carrefour plans to diversify its offerings by incorporating spiritual tourism into its programmes, enabling visitors to explore the Great Transfiguration area at St Catherine's Monastery in Sinai and follow the trail of the Holy Family in Egypt. In early February, the company will organise a FAM trip for travel agents to experience these unique spiritual destinations firsthand in a step towards starting the promotion of new products. In a press conference at FITUR 2025, Egypt's minister of tourism and antiquities said that the geopolitical situation in the region had not affected Egypt's tourism figures, as the country had seen a record-breaking achievement in 2024 with 15.75 million tourists, a six per cent rise compared to 2023 and 21 per cent rise on pre-pandemic levels, underscoring a significant recovery in the sector. 'This remarkable growth in tourism was made possible by the security, safety, and stability ensured by Egypt's political leadership, along with strong support for the tourism and antiquities sectors,' he asserted. He stressed that the ministry's mission was not just to attract visitors to Egypt, but also to ensure sustainable practices that benefit local communities and preserve the country's cultural and natural heritage. * A version of this article appears in print in the 30 January, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Short link:
