2025: Landmark year for Egyptian archaeology

Daily News Egypt

06-05-2025

Renowned Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass has sparked global anticipation by hinting at groundbreaking archaeological discoveries expected in 2025. Speaking in Phoenix, Arizona, during the first stop of his North American lecture tour to promote Egyptian tourism, Hawass captivated an American audience with stories from his storied career and the latest developments in Egyptology. The event was attended by tourism expert Mustafa Lotfy.
In a talk that spanned ancient mysteries and modern breakthroughs, Hawass shared highlights from his personal and professional journey—from his early fascination with ancient Egypt to becoming one of the world's most recognizable figures in archaeology. He emphasized that passion is the cornerstone of success in any field, particularly one as demanding and rewarding as archaeology.
One of the major revelations of the evening was the recent discovery of the tomb of Prince Weser-Ef-Ra in Saqqara. The prince was the son of King Userkaf, the first ruler of Egypt's Fifth Dynasty during the Old Kingdom. Hawass noted that the find includes an extraordinary false door carved from pink granite, measuring 4.5 meters in height and 1.15 meters in width—unprecedented in scale. The door is inscribed with the prince's titles, including 'Hereditary Prince,' 'Governor of Buto and Nekhbet,' 'Royal Scribe,' 'Vizier,' and 'Judge.'
Another fascinating discovery discussed was a statue grouping of King Djoser, his wife, and their ten daughters. According to initial studies, the statues were originally placed in a chamber adjacent to Djoser's iconic Step Pyramid and were relocated to Weser-Ef-Ra's tomb during a later period.
Looking ahead, Hawass proclaimed that 2025 will be a year of remarkable archaeological revelations in Egypt. He suggested that several long-standing questions—especially those concerning the pyramids and DNA analyses of royal mummies—are likely to be answered in the coming months.
Hawass also delved into some of Egypt's most iconic archaeological enigmas, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Sphinx, and the tombs of the pyramid builders, which he reiterated as definitive proof that Egyptians—not foreign laborers—built the pyramids. He also highlighted recent findings in the Saqqara region of Giza.
The lecture covered the 'Golden City' of Luxor, considered the largest ancient settlement ever unearthed in Egypt. Founded by King Amenhotep III, the ninth ruler of the Eighteenth Dynasty, the city dates back to Egypt's New Kingdom era. Amenhotep's son, Akhenaten, co-ruled with him during the final eight years of his reign. The city features remarkably well-preserved streets and buildings, with some walls still standing at three meters high.
'This city is the largest administrative and industrial settlement from the height of the Egyptian Empire,' Hawass explained. 'Entire houses and city blocks have been uncovered—offering a unique window into daily life during the New Kingdom.'
Hawass concluded the evening with a lively Q&A session, fielding questions about modern excavation techniques, the mysteries of ancient Egyptian civilization, and the future of archaeological research in the region. His enthusiasm, combined with the magnitude of recent and upcoming discoveries, left the audience eager for what 2025 might reveal beneath Egypt's timeless sands.