Launching of the activities of the Third International Conference of the Faculty of Archaeology, “Consolidating the Egyptian Maritime Heritage: Traditions of Building and Equipping Ships in Egypt Through the Ages”

Under the patronage of Prof. Ghada Farouk, Acting President of Ain Shams University, and Vice President of the University for Community Service and Environmental Development Affairs, Prof. Hossam Tantawi, Dean of the Faculty of Archeology, at Ain Shams University, and Staff Rear Admiral. Mahmoud Metwally, Secretary General of the Egyptian Maritime Salon Foundation, inaugurated the activities of the Third International Conference of the Faculty of Archeology, at Ain Shams University, held in cooperation with the Egyptian Maritime Salon and the Honor Frost Foundation, under the title: “Integrating the Egyptian Maritime Heritage: Traditions of Building and Equipping Ships in Egypt Through the Ages,” which continues over the course of two days. October 29-30, 2023 at Ain Shams University headquarters.

This came in the presence of Prof. Ahmed Al-Shawki, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Postgraduate Studies and Research and Conference Rapporteur, Prof. Mamdouh El-Damaty, professor of ancient Egyptian antiquities, supervisor of the Department of Archeology and Excavations at the Faculty of Archeology, at Ain Shams University, and former Minister of Antiquities, and Prof. Muhammad Ibrahim Ali, Supervisor of the Department of Museums and Archaeological Sites Management and former Minister of Antiquities, and from the Maritime Salon, Staff Rear Admiral. Mohamed Abdel Qader Gaballah, President of the Suez and Red Sea Chamber of Shipping, Head of the Executive Office of the Maritime Salon in Port Said, and former Head of the Maritime Transport Sector, and Captain Hisham Al-Noamani, Chief Guide of the Suez Canal Authority, and the captain, Dr. Hisham Hilal, Dean of the Institute of Graduate Studies at the Arab Academy of Maritime Transport, and President of the Arab Maritime Association, and Rear Admiral Hussein Ahmed Fouad, former Undersecretary of General Intelligence, Head of the Executive Office of the Maritime Salon in Alexandria, and Advisor. Ashraf Musharraf, the Cassation Lawyer.

In his speech during the opening, Prof. Hossam Tantawy, Dean of the Faculty and Chairman of the Conference, emphasized that the conference is being held in unique circumstances, as Ain Shams University is witnessing a major boom in innovation, the field of entrepreneurship, and building partnerships to join the fourth-generation universities. The conference also coincides with the glorious victories of October, and October 21 is the Egyptian Navy Day, and the anniversary of the sinking of the destroyer Eilat, which is considered one of the greatest victories of the Egyptian Navy.

The Dean of the Faculty indicated that the conference aims to study, analyze, and highlight everything related to the design and construction of ships in ancient Egypt and their development, and what is associated with it in achieving the vitality and balance of the ship. Despite the multiplicity of scenes depicting construction, sailing, loading, and unloading operations, in contrast to the scarcity of working ships, especially naval ones, that have been found, opinions have differed on these topics, and answers to some questions are still pending.

His Excellency reviewed the conference schedule, noting that the activities include five sessions, covering the Egyptian maritime heritage since the beginning of history. The Dean of the Faculty concluded his speech by offering thanks and praise to those in charge of the conference and all its speakers and lecturers.

Rear Admiral Mahmoud Metwally, Secretary General of the Egyptian Maritime Salon Foundation, thanked all those responsible for the unprecedented project to consolidate the Egyptian maritime heritage, and that this conference integrates with previous conferences and scientific studies, whether carried out by the Faculty of Archeology or carried out by experts and specialists before, to form a scientific base for the project, confirming that Ain Shams University, and Prof. Hossam Tantawi, Dean of the Faculty and Prof. Mamdouh El-Damaty spares no effort to consolidate the ancient and rich Egyptian maritime heritage, which represents a great scientific material that enables the establishment of various scientific studies and research, wishing for the fruitful success of the project and its activation to deepen national belonging, spread culture, as well as stimulate tourism.

Rear Admiral Mahmoud Metwally also expressed his gratitude to the Onfrost Foundation and conveyed his greetings and appreciation to Prof. Essam Sharaf, Chairman of the Maritime Salon Foundation, and Vice Admiral/ Mohab Mameesh, Commander of the Naval Forces and former Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, who apologized for not attending today due to emergency circumstances.

Prof. Mamdouh El-Damaty, former Minister of Antiquities, explained during his speech that the conference is an extension of a huge project to document the science and heritage of Egyptian shipbuilding throughout the ages, which is integrated cultural documentation that aims to provide a rich benefit to all those involved in and interested in the field and its students through an integrated academic research project, adding that the conference is in a tripartite partnership with the Maritime Salon, the Unfrost Foundation and Ain Shams University.

Prof. Ahmed Al-Shawki, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Postgraduate Studies and Research praised the great Egyptian Navy, which has written a great history from prehistoric times until now, citing the journey of the Egyptian naval fleet during the reign of King Sneferu to bring cedar timber from the coast of the state of Phoenicia, while the Egyptian Navy witnessed its first victories in the Islamic age in The Battle of Dhat Al-Sawari, and their victory over Emperor Constance, son of Heraclius, who came to invade Alexandria at the head of a thousand ships.