Decoding the Grand Egyptian Museum

Marwan El Shammaa holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Management, along with a second degree in Electrical and Computer Science Engineering. His professional journey began in Egypt in 1989, when he founded his own Information Technology consulting firm at a time when the region was only beginning to embrace the digital age.

In 1995, Marwan relocated to the United States, where his career expanded onto a global stage. He went on to work at Fortune 100 companies, contributing his expertise to complex, large scale environments while continuing to bridge technology and business strategy.

Historian of Ancient Egypt, International Lecturer, Writer, and Senior Tourist Guide

Bassam El Shammaa is one of Egypt’s most widely recognized historians and cultural communicators, known for his lifelong dedication to presenting Egyptian history through rigorous research, public lectures, media engagement, and extensive publishing. Combining academic grounding with exceptional public outreach, he has played a significant role in making ancient Egyptian civilization accessible to audiences around the world.

Professional Identity

Bassam El Shammaa is a professional tourist guide, writer, and international lecturer specializing in Egyptian history and antiquities. He is an active member of the Egyptian Tourist Guides Union, holding membership number 1000, and conducts his professional work in English and Arabic.

Education

El Shammaa received his early education at Victoria College, Alexandria, one of Egypt’s most prestigious schools. He later graduated from the Faculty of Tourism, Tourist Guiding Department, where he developed the academic and practical foundation that shaped his career in heritage interpretation and historical education.

Lectures and International Presence

Over the course of several decades, Bassam El Shammaa has delivered hundreds of lectures in Egypt and abroad, addressing academic institutions, museums, cultural centers, libraries, and international conferences. Since 2006 alone, he has delivered more than 300 lectures.

His international lecture venues include:

• The British Museum, London

• The Royal Maritime Club, Portsmouth, England

• The Cultural Center in Bath, England

• The Ancient History Society of London

• Oriental Research Institute, University of Chicago

• The Field Museum, Chicago

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

• The Brooklyn Museum, New York

• The Museum of Man, San Diego

• De Sable Museum of African History, North America

• Lake County Museum, USA

• Lake Forest University, Illinois

• University of Pretoria, Johannesburg, South Africa

• Santa Fe Library, New Mexico

• Pasadena Library, USA

• The Cultural Center in Chicago

• The British Doctors Association Conference, Egypt

• Egyptians and Foreigners Conference, Egypt, 1992

• Giza Conference, London, March 1998

• Stars and Signs Conference, Giza, 1998

In Egypt, his lectures have been hosted by:

• Cairo University, Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Mass Communications

• Helwan University, Faculty of Tourism, 1997

• Alexandria National Museum

• Bibliotheca Alexandrina

• El Sawy Culture Wheel, Zamalek

• Mahmoud Saʿid Museum, Janaklis, Alexandria

• Creativity Center, Alexandria

• The Egyptian Cultural Center and Information Exchange Club, Garden City, Cairo

• Heliopolis Club and Sporting Club, Alexandria

• The Naval Academy, Masaken Sheraton

• Ministry of Youth and Sports, Zamalek

• Equal Opportunities Unit, Ministry of Finance

• Mansoura University, Kafr El Sheikh University, Minya Women Association

• Faculty of Education, Damanhour

• Tiba Academy, Tenth of Ramadan University, Sixth of October University

• Akhbar Al Youm Academy, Badr University

• Al Daher Experimental Schools

• Libraries of Mostorod, El Ayoun Stream, Sharkia and Ismailia

• Nubian cultural lectures at the Nubian Club in Tahrir, Abu Simbel, Sai, Qasr Ibrim, and Adendan associations

Media Engagement

Bassam El Shammaa has appeared on numerous television and radio programs, contributing expert commentary on Egyptian history, archaeology, heritage preservation, and historical interpretation.

Books and Major Authored Works

• Egypt: The Civilization

• Egypt: Future of the Past

• Quest for the Truth

• Dilapidated Theories

Major Publications and Series

• Rulers of Ancient Egypt – Shorouk International Library

• The Book of Ancient Egypt (Dictionary and Colored Pictures) – Shorouk International Library

• Quest for the Truth: Discovering the Second Sphinx

Dar El Maaref Publications

• Egypt Civilization Series:

o Astronomy in Ancient Egypt (Arabic and English)

o Peace in Egypt (Arabic and English)

o Pharaonic Innovations and Inventions

o The Oldest Revolution in History

• World Wonders Series:

o The Pyramids and the Sphinx

o Lighthouse of Pharos Island

o Petra, the Pink City

o The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

• Cities with History Series:

o Tanis

o Karanis

o Luxor

o Memphis

• Our Monuments in World Museums:

o The Egyptian Museum

o The Berlin Museum

o The British Museum

o The Louvre Museum

o Luxor Museum

• Luxor: Temple Complex of Civilizations

• The Nile River: Vein of Life

• Hem Iunu: Architect of the Pyramid of King Khufu

• Our Monuments on Our Money Notes

Children’s and Educational Publications

• How to Write Hieroglyphs

• The Little Pharaoh

• Feasts and Celebrations in Ancient Egypt

• 100 Pharaonic Information

• 100 Strange Information of History

Children’s Stories: The Adventures of Kmt and Miao

Arabic and English editions:

• At the Pyramids

• On the Banks of the Nile

• The Secret of the Alexandria Map

• Theft of the Golden Mask

Other Major Works

• Al Bassam Encyclopedia: History and Antiquities – First Book House

• Tutankhamun: History and Monuments – Dar El Maaref

• Fifty Egyptian Monuments – First Book House

• Thieves of Antiquities, History and Geography – First Book House

• Decoding the Grand Egyptian Museum – in collaboration with Marwan El Shammaa

Awards and Honors

Bassam El Shammaa has received numerous awards recognizing his cultural and educational impact, including:

• Honoring by the United Nations

• Shield from the Royal Navy Club, Portsmouth, England, for historical lectures

• Ministry of Education Award for school journalism, Alexandria

• Technical Excellence Award from the General Supervision of Student Welfare, Helwan University

• Medal of Excellence from Helwan University

• Three Shields from Smouha Club, Alexandria

• Certificate of Appreciation from R & H, California, USA

• Honorary Membership of the Egyptian Antiquities Association, South Africa

• Letter of Appreciation from the U.S. Embassy for efforts with a representative of the U.S. Congress

• Certificate of Appreciation from the Antiquities Conference, Alexandria

Legacy

Bassam El Shammaa stands out for his commitment to historical accuracy, cultural preservation, and public education. Through decades of lectures, publications, and media engagement, he has contributed significantly to global awareness of Egypt’s heritage, while continuing to challenge misconceptions and encourage critical thinking about ancient history.