Egypt was once spoken about, not spoken with. From the era of Maspero and Petrie to today’s Egyptian mission directors, spokespeople, and media pioneers, there has long been a struggle over representation and the politics of who gets to speak for the ancient dead.
Drawing from historical research and his experiences running the Luxor Times, working with government ministries in Egypt, and global institutions, Mela Melad traces the transformation from foreign-led narratives to Egyptian-led framing of archaeology, museums, and cultural heritage to illustrate how archaeology has not only removed artifacts but reshaped identity and power dynamics inside Egypt.
This talk explores how colonial-era digs, museum policies, and foreign media influenced Egyptian consciousness, from school books to public pride to political rhetoric. It connects the Tutankhamun frenzy, Napoleonic legacy, Omar Makram’s resistance, and modern Egyptian discourse about who owns history both intellectually and spiritually.
Mena Melad is an historian, Egyptology researcher, and cultural heritage communicator whose work bridges academic research, journalism, and public history. Melad is the founder and editor of Luxor Times Magazine, an international publication dedicated to archaeology, Egyptology, and cultural heritage in Egypt.
Melad has worked extensively in the field of public Egyptology and heritage interpretation. He served as a historical consultant for the preservation and restoration of Howard Carter’s House in Luxor, a project led by ARCE as a part of the centennial commemoration of the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. He has also curated exhibitions and public programs exploring the history of archaeology, Egyptomania, and the global reception of ancient Egyptian culture. Through Luxor Times, Melad established a digital partnership with Google Arts & Culture to present Egyptian archaeological discoveries, historical archives, and cultural heritage stories to global audiences through online exhibitions and digital storytelling.
Melad’s research interests include Egyptian media archives as historical sources for Egyptology, the politics of archaeological discovery, heritage interpretation, and the influence of ancient Egypt on global cultural identity. Through his work, he continues to promote dialogue between scholars, institutions, and the wider public about Egypt’s past and its global cultural legacy.
