Did everyone get the email notification from Tauck about next week's webinar on Jan 21, 2021 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. Waziri, secretary-general of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities, is a big deal in Egyptian archaeology. He replaced the more well known Zahi Hawass, a larger-than-life Indiana-Jones-hat-wearing, fast-talking, promoter of Egyptian Antiquities who has appeared often on Nat Geo programs. Hawass is a bit of a self-promoter but also got into trouble for his support of Mubarek before the Arab Spring.
Anyway, I registered and submitted the following questions:
A big question that is on the minds of almost all travelers planning to visit Egypt in the near future- When will the Grand Egyptian Museum be open to visitors? Also, could you give us a brief update on what is left to do?
Other than cost, how do you decide which archaeological sites and ruins, especially mastabas, pyramids and tombs you will repair (and improve?) to make them safe for visitors to enter and which ones you will just stabilize to prevent further environmental decay? Do you anticipate any new sites will be opened or re-opened to visitors in the next two years?
Since 2017 radiological surveys have indicated there might be a large undiscovered void or room in the pyramid of Khufu. What is your opinion of these surveys and claims? What if any plans do you have to confirm or dismiss with certainty the existence of such a room?
I know there are an incredible number of archaeological sites still being excavated in Egypt by teams of Egyptian and international archaeologists, and that you, Dr. Hawass, and a few others are working with a select few tour companies to take visitors to some of them. Has anyone suggested or have you considered opening some of these sites to visitors so they can observe an active dig like those in Saqqara, Al-Asasif Cemetery, Abydos, Abu Rawash and Abu Sir, Taposiris Magna, Qubat El Hawa, etc. during the dig season?
During the Amarna Royal Tombs Project was the Valley of the Kings surveyed in sufficient detail with ground-penetrating radar and seismological techniques so that you are convinced all tombs located there have been found? Or, like Dr. Hawass, do you believe there may still be a tomb or tombs yet to be discovered. If so, do you think there could be one or more comparable, in condition and contents, to the tomb of Tutankhamun? In the Valley of Kings or elsewhere?
National Geographic, with the close cooperation of the Egyptian Government, filmed and aired a fantastic television series, "Lost Treasures of Egypt," that followed a number of active archaeological excavations throughout your country. The series was not only extremely interesting, but was a great promotional vehicle for Egyptian tourism. Unfortunately, only two seasons were filmed and I have been unable to determine whether the series has been renewed, and if so, when new shows might air. Do you have any information about this?
Too bad we won't get to go this year! :'(
