Azza Ezzat - Egyptian Perceptions of Antiquities (1869–1925): A Justification for Marginalization?

Name: Azza Ezzat - Egyptian Perceptions of Antiquities (1869–1925): A Justification for Marginalization?
Start: 2026-06-17T18:00:00+03:00
Location: 1, Dr. Mahmoud Azmi Street, Zamalek, Egypt, 11211

Schedule

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026 at 06:00 pm

UTC+03:00

Location

1, Dr. Mahmoud Azmi Street, Zamalek, Egypt, 11211 | Cairo, QH

The 18th session of the seminar series 'Exploring Egypt: Histories and Historiographies', a joint initiative of the Ifao, DAIK, CAI, PCMA, NVIC, & ARCE will be hosted at the NVIC, Zamalek. This session features Dr. Azza Ezzat, and it is entitled " Egyptian Perceptions of Antiquities (1869–1925): A Justification for Marginalization?". The lecture is open to the public in the limit of available places.
Abstract
This lecture examines Egyptian perceptions of antiquities between 1869 and 1925 under foreign control, questioning whether such perceptions were used as a justification for the marginalization of Egyptians within the field of Egyptology. It explores various attitudes toward heritage during this period, including the exploitation and rejection of antiquities through forgery, looting, and religious opposition to ancient remains.
Particular attention is given to the first “lost” generation of Egyptian Egyptologists and their attempts to Arabize Egyptology despite criticism and institutional obstacles. Finally, the lecture discusses later achievements, including the establishment of archaeology and Egyptology studies at Cairo University, the foundation of Egypt’s first archaeological society in 1925, and Egyptian efforts to improve the condition and historical knowledge of dragomans (interpreters).
The lecture also traces the restricted formation of Egyptian Egyptologists through four educational institutions, highlighting pioneering figures such as Ahmed Kamal, Mohamed Chaaban, Mahmoud Hamza, and Hassan Sobhi. Particular emphasis is placed on Ahmed Kamal as a central case study of the marginalization experienced by early Egyptian Egyptologists under foreign institutional dominance, despite his pioneering scholarly contributions and foundational role in the development of Egyptian Egyptology.
Bio
Dr. Azza Ezzat is currently the Head of the Research and Publication Section at the Writing and Scripts Center, Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Earned her PhD in Egyptology from the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Guidance Department, Alexandria University, in 2015. Dr. Ezzat currently conducting research on the methodology of Ahmed Kamal Pasha’s Hieroglyphic–Arabic–French Dictionary. She is a member of the General Assembly of the 33 Principal Partners and Founding Members of the Hellenic Institute of Egyptology, Athens. She has been selected as a member of the National Network of Science Centers and Museums (SciHer Network) at the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology. She is also a member in the Current Research in Egyptology CRE Editing Committee.
! attention !
The lecture starts at 6 pm. We work on a first-come, first-served basis as the number of seats is limited. We open our doors at 5:30 and close them at 6:15 or earlier when the lecture room reaches its full capacity.