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To: reaganaut

Thank you for the reply. I’d consider myself an armchair archaeologist but one who knows enough to realize I’m ignorant on the subject and there is much that can’t be learned reading Archaeology magazines or watching programs on various digs and new findings.

You’ve confirmed much of what I’ve heard about Hawass. I am friends with a few people in the field as well as others who’ve gone on digs in Egypt and other parts of the Holy Land. Rarely do I hear anything good when it comes to dealing with Hawass or the Egyptian Antiquities Department.

I’ve heard the name Budge but honestly can’t remember if he was the eccentric man who wore ballet costumes (tutu’s) while doing his digging or if he was the curator in England who specialized in ancient text, only to learn later on that many of his translations were worthless.

Archaeology is such a closed field, especially when it comes to biblical archaeology or anything to do with Egypt. It’s hard to judge what is simply the rantings of a disgruntled researcher, a student at the end of their rope over the roadblocks placed in front of them not allowing completion of their work or professionals who are honestly concerned about the direction Hawass was/is taking Egyptian Archaeology.

Two close friends/family of mine are archaeologists, both who had met with Hawass had very strong opinions about him. One who has sadly passed away, Brenda Lazendorf, the only underwater archaeologist in the Florida Keys and our neighbor for many years, and my cousin who specializes in Precolumbian archaeology. She has spent many months in Egypt and Israel on digs with various universities and has told me horror stories about the way Israeli’s and American’s are treated in Egypt. She absolutely loves Israel and Egypt but detests how they are treated when in country. According to her sexism is alive and well in any middle-eastern area aside from Israel and as you mentioned, many women are in the field, yet have a difficult time working with Hawass and most Muslim countries. Not to mention the general hatred that exists for Christians or Jews.

Sadly, Egypt is such a corrupt nation it seems whoever is picked to take over Antiquities will simply follow in that vein. For all of Hawass’s complaints that artifacts were stolen from Egypt, the fact is for centuries curators, archaeologists and government officials were perfectly willing to sell Egypt’s treasures for the right price. Now with the Muslim Brotherhood grabbing a foothold, I personally think the problem will be even worse. Not only is there little care or respect for any pre-Muslim countries, there is little respect for their own countries history prior to Islam taking over.

Thank you for the response. Being as I said an armchair archaeologist, I’m always interested in learning about and hearing about new finds and what is going on in Egypt and elsewhere. I’d love to speak with you more on the subject.


41 posted on 07/18/2011 4:50:39 PM PDT by Brytani (Liberals - destroying America since 1776)
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To: Brytani

Budge was the was the curator in England who specialized in ancient text, only to learn later on that many of his translations were worthless.

“Tutu” man was Flinders Petrie.

You are welcome. Feel free to freepmail me anytime. I have distanced myself from the field the last few years, but still have a deep interest in it.


42 posted on 07/18/2011 5:11:03 PM PDT by reaganaut (Ex-Mormon, now Christian - "I once was lost, but now am found; was blind but now I see")
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