Ahmed Kamal

Egyptian archaeologist and scholar who pioneered modern Egyptology during the late 19th century

Professor Ahmed Kamal (1865–1936) was a visionary Egyptian archaeologist who challenged European dominance in Egyptology. Trained at Cairo University, he led excavations at Saqqara and Giza during the 1890s, discovering the previously overlooked tomb of Queen Neferuptah. His 1898 expedition uncovered key artifacts that disproved Western theories about ancient Egyptian dynastic timelines. Kamal's 1903 publication Egyptian Chronology Reconsidered revolutionized historical dating methods, while his establishment of the Cairo Archaeological Institute (1912) marked the first Egyptian-led institution in the field. Despite working alongside Howard Carter and Flinders Petrie, Kamal consistently promoted Egyptian sovereignty over antiquities - a stance that inspired later nationalist movements. His 1897 discovery of the Book of the Hidden Chambers papyrus remains a foundational text in tomb architecture studies. Learn more about his discoveries