Opening of the Eighth International Conference on Delta Survey, Faculty of Archaeology

Prof. Abdel Fattah Saoud, Vice President of Ain Shams University for Education and Student Affairs, on behalf of Prof. Mahmoud El-Meteini, President of the University, opened the activities of the Eighth International Conference on Delta Survey, which is organized by the Faculty of Archeology at Ain Shams University, under the auspices of Prof. Hossam Tantawy, Dean of the Faculty, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the British Academy and the Egypt Discovery Association, in the presence of Prof. Mamdouh El-Damaty, the former Minister of Antiquities, and head of the scientific mission of Ain Shams University in the Arab El-Hosn area, and Dr. Penny Wilson, director of the Delta Survey Project at the Egypt Exploration Society at Durham University, and Prof. Ayman Ashmawy, Head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, representing the Minister of Tourism, and Prof. Ahmed Al-Shawky, Vice Dean for Postgraduate Studies and Research, and Prof. Sawsan Issa, Rapporteur of the Conference, Prof. Dietrich Raue, Director of the German Archaeological Institute in Cairo, Ms. Elizabeth White Director of the British Council in Egypt, Prof. Anna Wodzińska, Director of the Polish Research Center in Cairo, and a group of faculty staff, teaching assistants, researchers from Egyptian and foreign universities, and students.

In his speech, Prof. Abdel-Fattah Saoud emphasized the importance of the topic of the conference, pointing out that the succession of civilizations in Egypt, especially the Delta region, will open the door for multiple and diverse archaeological discoveries. Pointing out that Ain Shams University is an extension of the ancient Egyptian University of Aon about 5000 years ago, in the Matareya region, which gives special attention to Ain Shams University in the region. Wishing the success of the conference agenda, which includes important topics, and coming up with recommendations and results that would enhance the archaeological discoveries in the Delta.

In his speech, Prof. Hossam Tantawy, Dean of the Faculty, welcomed the audience, adding that the conference is being held in conjunction with the launch of Ain Shams University towards fourth-generation universities, and what this requires of innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as building local and international partnerships, which is evident from the cooperation with the Egypt Exploration Association, the British Academy, and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities as active partners in this conference. On the other hand, the Faculty of Archeology's hosting of this conference comes as an extension and continuation of the conference of the Faculty's Center for Papyrus Studies and Inscriptions, which in its tenth edition bore the title: "Antiquities and Heritage of the Cities and Villages of Upper Egypt," which reveals the faculty's tendency towards studying the antiquities and heritage of both the Delta and Upper Egypt.

Prof. Mamdouh El-Damaty, former Minister of Antiquities, indicated that the conference and the eighth workshop for the Delta Survey are being organized as part of the Delta Survey project of the British Academy and the Egypt Discovery Association in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and Ain Shams University. He also expressed his appreciation for the successful cooperation between Ain Shams University and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Egypt Discovery Society, and the British Academy in order to support the conference, wishing a conference full of the results of the old, new and ongoing excavation and research work.

Prof. Ayman Ashmawy, the representative of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and head of the Egyptian antiquities sector, explained that the importance of the conference comes from highlighting the ancient discoveries in the Delta region, as well as the expected discovery.

The conference, which will last for three days, aims to bring together scientists, researchers, and scholars from different countries of the world who are interested in working in the Delta to discuss the latest archaeological discoveries and the results of excavations in this important part of Egypt and come up with recommendations that enhance the archaeological future of the Delta. It includes several axes: Delta, Sinai, and the northern coast.