Zahi Hawass on Egyptian archaeologists

When I became secretary- general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), I stated that we must restore Egyptian archaeologists before we can restore the monuments. Actually, at that time, it was clear that our archaeologists could not compete with our foreign colleagues. Therefore, we started training programmes that were taught by foreign specialists in the best excavation and museological techniques. We sent some of our bright young archaeologists abroad to learn the latest scientific methods, and when they returned not only did they implement what they had learnt but also they taught others. Now, a few years after we began this project, I am happy to report that we have many Egyptian archaeologists who are carrying out the best scientific excavations and salvage archaeology in the field.

At the same time that we started to expand on our archaeologists' skills and make sure that they were up-to-date in all the newest and best scientific methods we also raised their salaries and gave additional permanent pay for dangerous work. We have improved the healthcare for all our employees, and we are currently building an SCA sporting and social club. The SCA has dedicated one day a year, 14 January, as the Ahmed Pasha Kamal Day, named after the first Egyptian archaeologist to celebrate the accomplishments in archaeology and honour all the archaeologists who have dedicated their lives to the conservation and restoration of Egyptian monuments. Many archaeologists spent their lives on their work and never received the recognition they deserved. Some previous heads of the antiquities department did not value the dedication and hard work of these individuals. I always say that professors at the university cannot understand the work of the SCA. Therefore, it is important always to have the head of antiquities coming from the SCA and not from a university or another organisation.