Honoring Dr. Zahi Hawass: A World-Renowned Archaeologist and Cultural Statesman
July 15, 2025
On July 14, the Antiquities Coalition proudly honored Dr. Zahi Hawass—celebrated archaeologist, public intellectual, and tireless defender of heritage. As part of his U.S. lecture tour, Dr. Hawass joined us in Washington to highlight his groundbreaking work and unwavering efforts to combat the illicit antiquities trade.
Dr. Hawass, the world’s most famous Egyptologist and former Minister of Antiquities, has revolutionized archaeology with extraordinary discoveries—from the Tombs of the Pyramid Builders at Giza to a recently uncovered tunnel beneath the Great Pyramid of Khufu.
He has dedicated his life to protecting Egypt’s cultural heritage—not just from the sands of time, but from the urgent threats of looting, trafficking, and exploitation. He does so with the passion of a patriot and the precision of a professional. As noted by Deborah Lehr, Founder and Chair of the Antiquities Coalition:
“Dr. Hawass was ahead of the curve in recognizing cultural repatriation as a strategic tool to assert national identity and sovereignty on the global stage.”
Together with our partners at the American Research Center in Egypt, we convened leaders from law enforcement, government, museums, and the private sector for a powerful discussion on how we can better safeguard our shared history.
AC Chairman and Founder Deborah Lehr, Dr. Zahi Hawass, and AC Executive Director Tess Davis.