Summary of Tutankhamun and related subjects in London

Al Ahram Weekly (Nevine El-Aref)

A comprehensive overview of the Tutankhamun exhibition and related issues by Nevine El-Aref. She includes the responses to Hawass's claim that none of the income from the 1970s exhibition went to help Egypt's heritage:

"Egypt previously gave a lot of free meals," Hawass declared, adding that when the Tutankhamun exhibition came to London 35 years ago, Egypt received nothing in return. "We didn't get a penny and the British Museum is still making money," he says.

However, John Taylor, an assistant curator at the British Museum, said that in 1972 the proceeds raised from the exhibition went on the conservation of the Philae Temple complex, adding that he was "a little surprised" by Hawass's claim.

A spokeswoman for the museum confirmed that ¨654,474 went to Philae in the 1970s. Taylor said the request for the Rosetta Stone was "going through the formalities" and that the British Museum had received a formal request which it was considering. "We need a clear idea of the security arrangements," Taylor confirmed.

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