a secret voyage

Does Zahi Hawass want the Rosetta Stone on loan or not? It's hard to know if you read the news often enough. Last night saw Egypt's antiquities boss come to the British Museum in London to promote his new book A Secret Voyage. Yet among the niceties between Dr Hawass and BM director Neil MacGregor, trouble was already brewing behind the scenes.

The British Museum's Egyptian Sculpture Gallery was packed last night, as hundreds of dignitaries flocked to see The World's Most Famous Archaeologist (copyright all bloggers) Dr Zahi Hawass, speaking ahead of the release of his latest book A Secret Voyage. Cameras in hand, Heritage Key was there to witness Dr Hawass' appearance, heralded more like the second coming than a book signing.

Dr Zahi Hawass' quest for the Rosetta Stone is gathering pace. And with the SCA chief set to visit the British Museum tonight to promote his latest book and holding a repatriation conference next March, it's an issue which could become a lot more incendiary in the coming weeks.

Hot on the tail of Heritage Key's own survey to decide whether the BM should return some of its highest-prized artefacts, national newspaper the Guardian has probed its own readership on the Rosetta Stone's repatriation.

Dr. Zahi Hawass is coming to London, to promote the massive - you can take that quite literally - art book 'A Secret Voyage' and the more normal-sized - but still stunning, we're sure - 'Inside the Egyptian Museum with Zahi Hawass'. To the list of must-attend events is now added a book signing at the most famous Egyptian-owned location in London: Harrods.

Book Signing at Harrods

Invited to London's most famous departement store by owner Mohamed Al Fayed, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (that's Dr. Hawass) will sign copies of his new books at Waterstone’s, Third Floor, on Thursday 10th December - we assume this means you can also bring your copy of The Lost Tombs of Thebes.

One does have to wonder how Zahi Hawass actually finds time to partake in any archaeology. The Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities is one of the world’s leading archaeologists, as well as one of its most famous. When he’s not travelling the world promoting Egypt’s wonders (Dr. Hawass will be in London on the 8th of  December) or grabbing headlines demanding them back, he must surely find himself tied to his desk, busily tinkering away at his keyboard. How else would Hawass manage to become one of archaeology’s most prolific authors?

Have you always wished to meet Dr. Hawass in person? Now is your chance! The world-famous archaeologist comes to London in December and Heritage World Press invites you to a special lecture by the Egyptologist - and maybe even dinner. Zahi Hawass will also introduce his two new books: Inside the Egyptian Museum and A Secret Voyage.

Reception & Lecture at the British Museum

Tuesday, 8th of December Dr. Zahi Hawass - probably the world's most famous Egyptologist - will speak at a special lecture in the British Museum's lecture theatre, after a reception in the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery. The lecture - where 600 of you will get the chance to hear Dr Hawass tell about his work - is organized by Heritage World Press and the British Egyptian Society to celebrate the launch of the SCA's Secretary General's new book.