CAIRO: It was the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) on January 24, then it was the Ministry of Antiquities when then President Hosni Mubarak sought to appease demonstrators calling for an end to his 30-year rule. Now, it has returned to being the SCA after anger erupted earlier this week here in Cairo over the future role of Zahi Hawass, Egypt's most prominent and often divisive Egyptologist. On Thursday, Prime Minister Essam Sharaf downgraded the ministry of antiquities back to its former SCA position in the country after he had initially sacked Hawass on Sunday, then brought him back only a few days later on an interim basis to run the ministry. The debacle over the ministry and then SCA has left many archaeologists in the country wondering over the future of Egypt's antiquities. As of Friday morning, Hawass – the firebrand antiquities chief who has sparked massive antagonism from those in the field and outside over his alleged corruption – remains in his office, as he told local newspapers that Sharaf has asked him to remain in his position for the time being. It has been an interesting week for Egypt's ancient past, with Zahi Hawass' role being the focal point of in-house protests – where employees of the antiquities chief threatening to strike and those who praised the government's move to boot him from head of Egyptian antiquities – and the battle appears to be continuing. One American Egyptologist working in Egypt, who asked not to be named due to the role Hawass and his officials play in determining who can conduct research in the country, told Bikyamasr.com that “Egypt must get this situation sorted out in the very near future because those researchers who want to come to Egypt need a clear situation to help them get their work done.” The Egyptologist said that many archaeologists welcomed the removal of Hawass because “he had for too long coerced what was being done in this country and he was very strong in stifling proper research in favor of his own personal beliefs and desires.” On Sunday, in the Cabinet reshuffle, Hawass was dismissed and Abdel Fatah El Banna of Cairo University was named as his successor, but the appointment failed to go ahead after he faced criticism, including protests from antiquities staff. Upon hearing the news on Sunday of his ousting, angry archaeologists, who had been camped out in front of the ministry, allegedly chased the embattled minister throughout the streets before his bodyguards were able to get Hawass into a taxi. Hawass had been pushing for the return of all Egyptian artifacts to the country during his time as Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, which became the ministry of antiquities during a reshuffle of the Cabinet by former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in early February in an attempt to appease protests against the 31-year-old regime. Hawass has been under fire from a number of sides in recent years including from rights groups who accuse the man of dictatorial polices concerning debate and scientific findings. The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) called out Hawass in 2009 for allegedly pushing aside a researcher for stating views that differed from the SCA Secretary-General's, which led to dozens of investigations. Ahmed Saleh, the researcher in question, told ANHRI that he was “alarmed” with a series of investigations and announcements from Hawass in newspapers' that the researcher felt were undermining and ridiculing his work. According to ANHRI, the researcher proposed a new approach on how to deal with “some Egyptian antiquities, especially the mummy of King Tut.” Hawass is known for his cheerful spirit, and a closet full of cowboy hats he passes to foreign dignitaries as they come through Egypt. He even gave American President Barack Obama one of those hats. Despite his jolly spirit, archaeologists, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of permits to dig in the country, which all go through Hawass, tell Bikya Masr a different, behind-the-scenes reality. “He has a huge temper,” began one archaeologist. “If you don't agree with him, he simply screams at you and threatens to remove your funding.” Other reports show that he takes advantage of those needing internships with the SCA. He takes on American students, promises them adequate salaries, and then refuses to pay, a number of former interns told Bikya Masr. “He is paid thousands of dollars for each appearance he makes for the Discovery Channel and every time he writes or appears anywhere. The man makes so much money that it is no wonder he tries to curtail other opinions,” an Egyptian researcher told Bikya Masr. The researcher, who works for the SCA, says that “everyone in the council knows what goes on, but he is the boss and his rules go, so there is little we can do.” It is also well known, archaeologists say, that he takes bribes in order to give permits. “And he is big on cronyism and sexual favors,” another American researcher said, adding that “it is well-known in the community that he gives key positions to women for specific reasons.” This has been supported by a number of archaeologists, who added that on trips to New York, “he has often been seen with call girls and escorts.” BM
