I attended a major event in the great hall of the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square recently to celebrate the completion of the restoration of the chapel of the ancient Egyptian Chief of Dentists Hesy-Re, who lived more than 4,640 years ago. Also attending the event were French Ambassador Eric Chevallier and Egyptian and French scholars.

Hesy-Re was more than just a leading dentist, as he was also responsible for overseeing the king’s own dentist and the royal family’s dental care. He lived during the reign of king Djoser, the first ruler of the Third Dynasty. He can be regarded as the godfather of dentistry, as the first man to hold a prestigious title associated with the royal palace.

In many ways, Hesy-Re’s legacy in dentistry mirrors that of Imhotep in medicine, who was later revered by the ancient Egyptians during the Late Period as the father of medicine.

We know that the ancient Egyptians cared about medicine and were the first to study this field. People from all over the world came to Egypt to consult Egyptian doctors. The ancient Egyptians had specialised professionals in various fields, including doctors for eye care, dentists, surgeons, and even veterinarians to treat animals.

We have many famous and important papyri related to medicine, most notably the Ebers Papyri. I also feel incredibly fortunate to have discovered a cemetery in Saqqara dedicated to dentists from the Fifth Dynasty dating back over 4,300 years.

Saqqara appears to have been a significant hub for physicians, likely influenced by Imhotep. One remarkable tomb I uncovered belonged to a physician named Qar that featured stunning scenes, a burial chamber, and, most notably, surgical tools. Outside the tomb entrance, I also found over 35 Late Period statuettes of gods and goddesses, with the most significant being a statuette of Imhotep.

The restoration work carried out on the chapel of Hesy-Re and its wooden panels within their original archaeological setting was truly impressive.

The event at the Egyptian Museum was well-attended, with many archaeologists from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) and various universities being present. Among them was Mohamed Ismail Khaled, the recently appointed secretary-general of the SCA. Having worked with Khaled for over 20 years at the Giza Pyramids and the SCA, I can confidently say he is the ideal leader for Egypt’s antiquities service. His education, intelligence, and humility make him uniquely qualified for the role.

Khaled’s attendance at this event carried a clear message to the world that the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square remains a vital and unparalleled institution. While the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) houses king Tutankhamun’s treasures and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) showcases the royal mummies, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square continues to hold the greatest collection of Egyptian art, cementing its status as the world’s finest museum of ancient Egyptian antiquities.

I was delighted to reconnect with my great friend Eric Chevallier. From our very first meeting, it was clear that he is a truly unique ambassador. To my surprise, during his first month in Cairo, he invited former minister of tourism and antiquities Khaled El-Enany and me to a Ramadan Iftar at the French Embassy residence. This thoughtful gesture reflected his commitment to strengthening the relationship between France and Egypt, particularly in the realm of antiquities, which is a connection deeply valued by the French government.

France has a long and rich history of working on Egypt’s Pharaonic heritage, starting with Jean-Francois Champollion, who deciphered the ancient Egyptian language in the early 19th century, and continuing with esteemed directors of Egyptian antiquities like Mariette Pasha, and Gaston Maspero. Chevallier seemed determined to revive the golden era of collaboration between our nations and repair any rifts from the past. His modesty and intelligence immediately won my respect, and I knew I had found a true friend.

Over time, we have met on several other occasions, and I also hosted a small dinner in his honour, inviting other distinguished guests such as El-Enany and Mounir Fakhri Abdel-Nour, the former minister of tourism and a renowned public figure. These moments reflected the deep friendship and shared vision we have for preserving and celebrating our heritage.

I was thrilled to see Chevallier leading an impressive delegation at the Egyptian Museum event. Among them was Pierre Tallet, the head of the IFAO (French Institute of Oriental Archaeology) in Cairo and another dear friend.

Tallet made the extraordinary discovery of the Wadi Al-Jarf Papyri, which provide the first direct evidence of how Khufu’s Pyramid was constructed, making it the most significant archaeological find of the 21st century. Before discussing the celebration, I want to reflect on the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square and our broader vision for museums that house ancient Egyptian artefacts in Cairo.

New museums: When I was appointed head of Egypt’s antiquities in 2002, I worked closely with Farouk Hosni, the then minister of culture, who had a clear vision for developing Egypt’s museums.

At the time, many critics claimed that Egypt lacked adequate museum facilities, using this as a reason to resist the return of stolen artefacts. Determined to change this perception, we partnered with UNESCO to build the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) in Cairo.

The location of the NMEC was carefully selected to be in the Fustat area, near a picturesque lake and offering a prime setting. From the beginning, I envisioned the mummies of Egypt’s kings as the centrepiece of the new museum. Without a star attraction, I knew it would struggle to draw visitors.

I collaborated with the museum’s designer to create a unique exhibition hall modeled after an Egyptian tomb. This hall was designed to educate, not sensationalise, offering a respectful presentation of each mummy alongside its coffin, personal artefacts, and a detailed CT scan data from the Egyptian Mummy Project.

The mummies were transferred to the museum in a grand festival attended by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and marking a historic moment. Today, the NMEC thrives, drawing large numbers of visitors eager to explore its treasures.

We also selected an exceptional location for the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which is positioned in the shadow of the Pyramids on the Giza Plateau. This museum was envisioned as the greatest in the world dedicated to a single civilisation. An international architectural competition drew nearly 2,000 submissions, and a design by a Chinese architect based in Dublin was ultimately chosen.

With substantial support from Japan of around $1 billion and an equal investment from Egypt, we built state-of-the-art restoration labs and storage facilities. Much of the funding came from the revenue generated by the travelling Tutankhamun exhibition worldwide.

The GEM is currently partially open, but we have delayed the full inauguration, including the grand opening of the Tutankhamun exhibition and the Khufu Boats Museum, due to ongoing geopolitical conditions in the region.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian Museum continues to captivate visitors with its remarkable collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts, including the treasures of the grandparent of the monotheistic king Akhenaten, Yuya and Thuya, and the magnificent finds from Tanis. These artefacts ensure that the museum remains a vital institution for showcasing Egypt’s heritage.

DENTISTRY EVENT: Returning to the event celebrating the ancient Egyptian dentist Hesy-Re, this brought together an impressive array of attendees.

Among them were Mamdouh Al-Damati, a former minister of antiquities, Fayza Haikal, a professor of Egyptology at AUC, and many other prominent figures. Chevallier, with his characteristic warm smile, was seated in the front row. He stands out among French ambassadors for his unique approach and dedication. One of his key responsibilities is overseeing the annual review of French-Egyptian missions, underscoring his commitment to fostering strong cultural ties.

During this celebration, I had the pleasure of meeting a remarkable young French restorer, Anita Kulz, who played a central role in restoring the wooden panels and reconstruction of the tomb of Hesy-Re. I first encountered her when my friend Hassan Selim, Professor of Egyptology at Ain Shams University in Cairo, invited me to watch the upgrades he and the Cairo Museum team had implemented.

The Old Kingdom objects were displayed in stunning new lighting, and he proudly showed me the conservation work on Hesy-Re’s chapel.

Anita Kulz’s work left me in awe. Her skillful restoration brought the tomb of Hesy-Re back to its original splendour. Despite her quiet and modest demeanor, her craftsmanship spoke volumes. She carefully explained the history of Hesy-Re’s tomb and detailed the meticulous steps she has taken to conserve it. Her dedication deserves immense gratitude, as thanks to her the legacy of Hesy-Re has been preserved for future generations to admire and learn from.

Director of the Egyptian Museum Ali Abdel-Halim introduced everyone at the event and set the tone for an inspiring celebration. We had the pleasure of hearing speeches from key contributors, including Anita Kulz and Islam Ezat, both of whom played crucial roles in the project. Anita’s heartfelt thanks to Sabah Abdel-Razek, the former director of the museum who initiated the project, were particularly touching. She acknowledged the continuity of support from Abdel-Halim, which ensured the project’s success.

Moamen Othman, the director of the Museums Sector at the Ministry of Antiquities, also spoke, emphasising the significance of this endeavour. Pierre Tallet expressed his pride that the Wadi Al-Jarf Papyri, a discovery of monumental importance, is now part of the Cairo Museum’s collection.

The highlight came from Ambassador Chevallier. His eloquent words, delivered first in Arabic, honoured the Egyptian and French scholars who had collaborated on this remarkable project. He reaffirmed the French government’s strong commitment to supporting the conservation and restoration of Egypt’s priceless monuments, a gesture that further deepened the cultural ties between the two nations.

From the speeches, it became clear that the project to document and restore the wooden panels of Hesy-Re began in 2021. The team not only restored the panels but also reconstructed a mud-brick chapel, replicating how it originally appeared in Saqqara. This reconstruction allows visitors to experience the tomb as it was in ancient times, complete with the wooden panels placed in their original niches.

A fascinating discovery emerged during the project: the wood used for the panels was local Egyptian wood, contrary to the earlier belief that it was cedar imported from Lebanon. The reconstructed tomb features an entrance and a section of the western passage containing niches for the panels, as well as two walls covered in mortar and wall scenes. The scientific approach taken by the restorers ensures the integrity and authenticity of the reconstruction, making this an invaluable addition to the museum and a triumph of archaeological preservation.

The story of Hesy-Re is beautifully illustrated in his chapel, offering a glimpse into his remarkable life. Hesy-Re held several significant titles, many of which were religious, but his most notable was Chief of Dentists during the reign of king Djoser, the builder of the Step Pyramid at Saqqara around 2040 BCE.

His tomb, located in the northern part of Saqqara, known as the cemetery of important people, reveals that he was a person of great importance. The tomb stretches for 30 metres, further highlighting his high status.

The wooden panels found in Hesy-Re’s tomb bear similarities to the carved limestone panels of king Djoser, suggesting that Hesy-Re was not only a prominent figure in his own right but also had a close relationship with the king. While Hesy-Re may have had a similar status to Imhotep, it is unlikely he held the same position. Imhotep’s name is famously inscribed on the base of a statue of king Djoser, which may be the first recorded instance of a name appearing on royal statues, cementing his unique legacy.

In addition to his role as Chief of Dentists, Hesy-Re served as the overseer of the royal scribes, a key administrator in agriculture, and an essential figure in royal missions. He was depicted with writing tools, such as a pen, a stela, and a bag of ink, showcasing his administrative and intellectual skills. In some scenes, these tools are shown resting on his shoulder, emphasising their importance in his daily duties.

Hesy-Re also held religious titles, including “Mumiet, associated with the lion god of writing. However, it is his title as Chief of Dentists that stands out as the first known instance of such a position, marking Hesy-Re as a trailblazer in the history of dentistry.

The tomb of Hesy-Re was first discovered by French archaeologists August Mariette and Jacques de Morgan in 1861, during which they uncovered five wooden panels. Later, in 1911-1912, UK archaeologist James Quibell joined the excavation and found a sixth panel. The panels were initially moved to the Bullock Museum and, in 1902, were transferred to the newly opened Egyptian Museum, where they became part of its permanent collection.

The next speaker at the event was El-Enany, who took the stage without reading from notes. I was delighted by this, as it reminded me of the importance of speaking from the heart. I always teach my students to deliver scientific or popular lectures without relying on notes, as it creates a more engaging and authentic connection with the audience.

I even remarked on this to Al-Damati, pointing out how his choice of words seemed to captivate everyone’s attention. El-Enany also made a powerful statement during his speech, announcing that any new discovery made in Egypt would be exhibited at the Egyptian Museum, reinforcing its central role in showcasing Egypt’s heritage.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 19 December, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly