Egyptian Civilization Lover

If the ancient Egyptian civilization has always been a polestar for the humanity that follows all the discoveries of treasures and secrets, then, thanks are due to ancient Egyptians who were keen on registering their history. Thus, they left behind great heritage of tangible, intellectual and scientific marks.

Thanks are also due to archaeologists who loved ancient Egyptian civilization. Their discoveries helped humanity learn about this civilization and get closer to its secrets that are being discovered day after day. Among those archaeologists is Dr. Selim Hassan whose references and writings have become indispensable for any researcher in the ancient Egyptian history. And, why not? he is the writer of Ancient Egypt encyclopedia that consists of 16 volumes with more than 12 thousand pages.

Dr. Selim Hassan was born on April 18, 1893, and died on September 29, 1961, after a long journey of giving. He obtained his high school certificate in 1909, then the teacher diploma.

His infatuation with ancient Egyptian civilization led him to join the high school for archaeology and ancient Egyptian language, established by Ahmed Kamal Pasha, the first pioneer of archaeology and Hieroglyphic language. In 1919, he worked as a teacher for Assiut secondary school, then for An-Nasserya School in Cairo. Later, he was chosen by the Ministry of Education to write down and compile books of history for all stages of education.

In the Open Hands of Egyptian Monuments
The big transition that took place in Dr. Hassan?s life was in 1921 when he was appointed an assistant guardian at the Cairo Egyptian Museum. Then, he was granted a scholarship to study in Austria in 1923. He obtained his Ph.D from Vienna University in 1934.

During his stay in Austria, he joined the Faculty of Higher Studies of the Sorbon University. When Dr. Hassan came back to Egypt, he was appointed professor in the Faculty of Archaeology in 1935. He had the chance to achive great diggings at the pyramids area where he discovered complete collections of graveyards, temples and monumental pieces.

These discoveries shed scientific lights on the development of the regime, social system and religious beliefs in the ancient Egyptian state. Moreover, he had the chance of making expeditions; where as he made a number of important archaeological discoveries.

Retiring Young
It was normal with all what Dr. Hassan showed of vigour and enthusiasm and what he achieved of important monumental discoveries that he becomes a deputy of the Egyptian Archaeology Department, to be the first Egyptian to occupy this post, which was restricted to foreign scientists. Some foreign scientists got jealours and stood against him till a decree was issued to place him on pension in 1939 at the age of 46.
NO.. for Private Possession of Egyptian Monuments

One of the important reasons that led Dr. Hassan to been his post as a deputy of the Egyptian Museum, is his insistence on restoring a collection of monumental pieces that were in the possession of the royal palace. Actually, King Fouad I brought back such pieces to the Egyptian Museum. When King Farouq came to the throne, he asked Dr. Hassan to give him back those pieces as private possessions of his father.

Dr. Hassan, however, refused, confirming that Egyptian monuments are a possession of Egypt and humanity. Hence, came the decree to place him on pension at the peak of his success and youth. Towards Scientific Research Placing him on pension, Dr. Hassan broke free of the shackles of employment that bound him. Even more, it was the point of departure to the horizons of scientific reasearch as an archaeologist, historian and analyst.

Furthermore, he recorded his thanks to those who caused his pension, so he said in the dedication that fronted his encyclopedia on ancient Egypt: To those who wanted to do me wrong, but did me right and set me and employment apart, but brought me close to production and service of science and my homeland.

Actually, Dr Hassan became completely free to fathom ancient Egypt and be acquainted with the system of ethics, arts, literature and regimes in ancient Egypt since 4241 BC. He succeeded in achieving and finishing one of the greatest scientific encyclopedias all over the world that has been complited by the strenuous efforts and creativity of one person.

Dr. Hassan opens his encyclopedia with the following words ?This is a daring attempt by which I tried to compile in one group of volumes the history of an ancient deep-rooted people that has its own creed and philosophy of life, and culture and ways of living.

I did not take the history of the pharaoh as a pattern to show his people?s history, as used to be in previous books. I did not take his life, traditions, systems, wealth or beliefs as a measurement for the status of his subjects, as differences among them may be big enough. I took the status of ordinrary people as a basis for what I wrote, and this draws us close to the truth and makes us avoid slipping into mistakes and misreadings.

Dr. Hassan confirms the succession of civilizations and the importance of understanding ancient Egyptian civilization as a basis of understanding other civilizations, so he says: Once we managed to make a history from the remains we found the in tombs and temples, of ancient state undoubtedly this can be a firm basis and a strong support to study all civilizations of the world.

Egypt is the first spring from which appeared to us written texts, at the same time when almost all world kingdoms were roving in the woods and led astray in ignorance. This Egyptian civilization was the drinking fountain that quenched Hebrews, Greeks and Asians? thirst and then leaked to Europe.

Achievements and Contributions
Dr. Hassan?s writings conributed to enriching archaeology and anthropology. Added to his encyclopedia on Ancient Egypt, he compiled a valuable two-volume book on Pharaonic literature, a book on the history and secrets of the Sphinx. In addition, he issued two books on the history of Europe and Turkey. He translated the, ?Dawn of Conscience? of Brestid into Arabic, let alone, the tens of research and scientific articles.

Egyptian and world Honour
The Late President Gamal Abd el-Nasser issued a decree to send Dr. Hassan on a tour to visit the world museums that exhibit pieces of Egyptian monuments, in addition to a decree by virtue of which he became a counseller of the Cairo Egyptian Museum in 1959 as an appreciation for his scientific givings and contributions. In 1960, the New York Academy that includes over 1500 scientists from 75 countries expressed its respect to this scientist by electing him unanimously as a member of the Academy.

The only thing left to say is that Dr. Selim Hassan is the second of three Egyptian scientists who established archaeology. The first is Ahmed Kamal Pasha and the third is archaeologist Sami Gabra. They are the pioneers who opened the gates wide for Egyptian archaeologist generations that have always been taking the lead towards secrets and treasures of ancient Egyptian civilization.