Egyptologist shares update on sarcophagus finds at Bowers Museum visit

Dr. Zahi Hawass has referred to himself as the real Indiana Jones.

When asked about his signature wide-brimmed felt fedora, the same style worn by Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones character, Hawass says his is the authentic hate of an Egyptologist.

Such a statement speaks to Hawass’ charisma, not to mention knowledge, which was profoundly evident during his sometimes humorous lecture to a packed auditorium at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana on Saturday, June 22.

Hawass, along with Dr. Mostafa Wazir, Egypt’s general director of antiquities, spoke about their latest discoveries in and around Egypt’s pyramids.

Hawass, an author of several books on Egyptology, who has mingled with celebrities wanting to tour the pyramids, appears at the Bowers about once a year, museum president Peter Keller said.

“He’s the rock star of archaeology, and the No.1 force in motivating the next generation of archaeologists,” Keller said.

Hawass spoke in detail of the recent opening of a 2,500-year-old sarcophagus, containing the body of an ancient Egyptian high priest.

The sarcophagus had been discovered decades earlier at the Al-Ghorifa archaeological site, 165 miles south of Cairo, but the opening took place in April. It was broadcast live by the Discovery Channel.

“That is the most eventful moment,” he said. “That you can share this moment with the world, opening a sealed sarcophagus … and the mummy was saying ‘Good morning’ to the whole world.”

Along with the sarcophagus holding the high priest, Hawass and his team discovered a second mummy along with a variety of artifacts, including a wax head believed to be a sculpture of a high priest.

Hawass also touched on an excavation in the Valley of the Kings and his continuing search of the tombs of Queen Nefertiti and Queen Ankhesenamun, the wife of King Tutankhamun.

The Egyptologist also spoke of the need for many Egyptian artifacts discovered in the pyramids, but now in other countries, to be returned.

Hawass also tried to dispel myths claiming the pyramids possess mystical power or have an extraterrestrial origin.

“Many people want to reveal the secrets of the pyramids,” Hawass said. “These people think that I’m hiding evidence of lost civilization. I’m not hiding anything.”

Waziri spoke mainly about his discovery in November of a grave containing a human mummy and dozens of mummified animals including mice, cats,  scarabs (beetles), falcons and ibex (wild goats).

The discovery, which also included dozens of cat statues, was made near Cairo.

“Mostafa is unbelievable,” Keller said. “He is the next generation”