21 - 27 June 2001
Issue No.539
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 21 - 27 June 2001 Issue No.539 |
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Dig days
Seth did not attend the party
Egypt's ancient culture is full of magic and mystery. People invoke the "curse of the Pharaohs," and let me say that even some modern Egyptologists, on occasion, have eyes green with envy and tongues eager to gossip. But not at this event!
I had never witnessed an Egyptologist honoured in his own lifetime, not, that is to say, until last week, when I received an invitation from Mohamed El-Kalaway to attend the ceremony honouring Ali Radwan. I joined foreign and Egyptian Egyptologists in the Association of Arab Archaeologists in the auditorium of Cairo University and, having thought that only a few friends of Radwan would attend the event, I was surprised at the turnout.
I listened with great interest to the many speeches honouring this man who has dedicated his life to Egyptology. Ali Radwan taught art, prehistory and archaeology, and has a devoted following. He recognised archaeological problems and took a firm stand against those who would cause harm to ancient monuments. Among those who gave presentations were Gaballa Ali Gaballa, general secretary of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. He spoke about a great lady, Radwan's mother who, he said, raised this man who proved to be such an exceptional treasure. My dear friend Tohfa Handousa talked about the "good days" that made them like brother and sister, and said that Radwan had a ready answer to any question she ever posed about Egyptology. Another dear friend, Rainer Stadelman, one of the most informed and knowledgeable living Egyptologists, related how he met Ali Radwan in his younger days and realised that he was in the presence of a promising Egyptologist. Later, he said, he watched Radwan become a scholar of worth in the field. The famous writer Sakina Fouad chose to speak about Radwan's wife, and said that she should be honoured along with her husband because of the love, support and dedication she gave him which provided him with the opportunity to reach for the top of his field. Finally, Radwan's friend and colleague El-Kalaway, who teaches Islamic art and archaeology, spoke of him as a good friend and a worthy human being. It was El-Kalaway who organised and made this event possible.
I myself first met Ali Radwan in 1978, when I joined the Diploma at Cairo University. He taught me Egyptian art and architecture. What I liked most about him was how carefully he chose every word. He could explain the details of an Egyptian statue as lovingly as he would a beautiful woman. His voice resounded with a deep concern and understanding of Pharaonic monuments. He had a way of explaining them in such a manner as to make them familiar. He made you fall in love with them.
Ali Radwan is one of the few scholars who can lecture to both scholars and the lay public alike without referring to notes. He documented two important works that have become standard textbooks for our field. The first is on the scenes of royalty in a private tomb in Thebes (Luxor). The second is about bronze objects dating from the predynastic period through to the end of historical Ancient Egypt. We became very close friends; in fact, he is one of the few people near to my heart.
I remember that Tohfa Handousa and I used to meet every Saturday to hear the latest news about Egyptology from Ali Radwan and Gamal Mokhtar, who generously gave us the benefit of their knowledge. After the death of my friend Mokhtar, Handousa, Radwan and I continued to meet for dinner every other week to discuss Egyptology generally and the future of the monuments in particular.
Radwan was an inspector of antiquities in Fayoum before going to Germany to finish his doctorate. He returned as a professor of Egyptology in the Faculty of Archaeology. His fieldwork at Abu Sir resulted in many discoveries, including the find of an important cemetery dating back to 3000 BC at the time of the first dynasty. Near these tombs he found boat pits and wooden fragments which prove to be from sailing boats. He is currently looking for as yet undiscovered Sun Temples at Abu Sir.
It is rare nowadays to find a man of the calibre of Ali Radwan, who has in his heart the history and archaeology of Egypt. He used to take his students on field trips and teach them excavation techniques on site. He is much loved and worthy of the honour he received.
As we watched him stand up to acknowledge the applause, I saw tears in his eyes, and noted how he glanced towards his lovely wife to say "thank you."
The devil does not usually like things to run smoothly. The Pharaoh's curse lies deep below the surface; fortunately, on this great occasion, jealous men in the guise of Seth, the Egyptian god of the baser instincts, were not in attendance. Only the beneficent gods Hathor and Horus, representing faithfulness and love, came to the party to honour Ali Radwan.
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