Zahi Hawass' Views On The Queen Cleopatra Documentary

 

Netflix has released a documentary Queen  Cleopatra and it has generated backlash in Egypt. The race of Cleopatra has been subject to debate. Archeologist Zahi Hawass has also commented on the matter. He has asserted that she was Greek and of European heritage. Hawass'  views are in conflict with African history. The famed archeologist has held the position that Egypt is not an African civilization. It would be incorrect to say Ancient Egypt was not a part of Africa. The modern racism coming from Egypt is about erasing African history. The Arab presence really became prominent in the 7th century. The result was that the Berbers, Libyans, and Nubians were displaced from invasion. Egyptian nationalists are trying to remold ancient history to suit their narrative. The negative reaction of a black actress playing Cleopatra demonstrates anti-black racism among the Egyptian population. Greece has not had the same reaction to this documentary. The bizarre aspect of this is that Arab peoples are worshipping the Ptolemaic dynasty. These were Greek colonizers on a land that did not belong to them. Then Egypt would fall to the Roman Empire.  Yet, the Egyptian nationalists do look at ancient history in that context. Some Egyptians want to even disassociate with West Asia and make distinguish it as uniquely distinct. Zahi Hawass tends to favor this position. The black presence has been in both upper and lower Egypt. The problem with Egyptology was that it was designed to pull the country out of African history. The origins of the field of study were in Europe at a time when Africa was being colonized. The problem is not that Cleopatra is being played by a black actress. The issue is that historians and archeologists are applying their modern concepts of race to ancient history. The only way to know fully about Cleopatra is to find her tomb. If a mummy of her is found and DNA tested, then it can provide information on haplogroups. Zahi Hawass does not favor this, because he might realize the majority of  historical figures in Egypt have African ancestry.