Time magazine called him "The Man." As the head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, star archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass controls who excavates what in Egypt. If there's a documentary on King Tut or the controversies of Hatshepsut on Discovery Channel or National Geographic, expect to see Hawass commenting.

The real-life Indiana Jones is in town to give two talks on the secrets of ancient Egypt. Tickets must be purchased in advance — they are mailed from Maui, so call or e-mail for them as soon as possible.

6 p.m. Aug. 27 [2007], Longhi's Restaurant, Ala Moana Centre...

7 p.m. Aug. 28, UH Campus Centre Ballroom...

Egypt's premier archaeologist to speak next week, The Honolulu Advertiser, Hawaii, USA, August 21, 2007.

A dusty crate of broken bits of pottery discovered at a stately home in Dorset has given a fresh insight into the life of the ancient Egyptians — and it turns out that concerns over mortgages, taxes and simply making ends meet were as important then as they are now.

More than 200 "ostraca" — potsherds inscribed with notes — were found in the cellar of the National Trust property Kingston Lacy, near Wimborne Minster...

Among the messages translated are receipts for a poll tax bill paid by a farmer, tax paid on handicrafts, income tax from a crop of dates and tax for the maintenance of public utilities.

At least 16 of the tax receipts were issued to the same taxpayer, Patsibtis, son of Petorzmethis. He is also a taxpayer on more than 20 ostraca in the British Museum and other collections.

Brian Muhs, who oversaw the translations, said: "Because there are a lot of ostraca, and many relate to the same people, we are able to build up a picture of what life was like. It is possible to build up a picture of income, jobs, family makeup...

Egyptians' ancient tax burden revealed, Steven Morris, The Guardian, UK, August 22, 2007.

Previously:

Relics found at Kingston Lacy offer insight into ancient Egypt, August 22, 2007.

A German has handed in a package containing part of a Pharaonic carving to Egypt's embassy in Berlin, with a note saying his stepfather had suffered a Curse of the Pharaohs for stealing it, Egypt said on Wednesday.

The note said the man felt obliged to return the carving to make amends for his late stepfather and enable his soul to rest in peace, Egypt's Supreme Council for Antiquities said.

The stepfather had stolen the piece while on a visit to Egypt in 2004 and on his return to Germany suffered paralysis, nausea, unexplained fevers and cancer before dying recently, the anonymous man said in the note.

The Egyptian embassy in Berlin had sent the fragment back to Egypt by diplomatic pouch and it had been handed over to the Supreme Council for Antiquities, where a committee of experts was trying to ascertain its authenticity, the statement said...

Man returns 'cursed' Pharaoh piece, Reuters via CNN, USA, August 22, 2007.

Previously:

'Cursed' Tut ring found on beach could be part of treasure lost in early 20th century shipwreck, April 26, 2007.

A crate of ancient Egyptian relics discovered at a National Trust property has turned out to be a large collection of inscribed pottery sherds known as ‘ostraca’, used by scribes to write a variety of notes and messages.

Among the pieces, found during work in the cellars of Kingston Lacy in Dorset are over one hundred tax receipts given by officials for poll tax, mortgages and income tax, providing a fascinating glimpse into everyday life in ancient Egypt.

The ancient sherds form part of a considerable collection of Egyptian artefacts brought to Kingston Lacy in the 19th century by its owner, pioneer Egyptologist William John Bankes...

Numbering over two hundred pieces, Bankes’ collection of ostraca are believed to have originated from the island of Elephantine in Lower Egypt. They vary in date, and a number of different languages and ancient scripts appear on them. The majority are tax receipts dating from 200 AD, in Greek, an official language of Egypt at that time...

Relics found at Kingston Lacy offer insight into ancient Egypt, 24 Hour Museum, UK, August 22, 2007.