Denying the existence of the Hyksos is a baseless claim: Sheikh Sultan

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, dismissed claims made by an Egyptian archaeologist denying the existence of a human group referred to as the "Hyksos."

Sheikh Sultan deemed the archaeologist's statements as unfounded, describing them as a fabricated narrative that has been perpetuated among archaeologists and heritage experts without proper examination.

He commented on this subject after reading the mentioned article in Al Khaleej newspaper, dated Thursday (Jan.15, 2026).

The piece was entitled: Egyptian Archaeologist: There is no such thing as a human race called the Hyksos.

The article highlights the stance of a distinguished Egyptian archaeologist who challenges the validity of numerous accounts concerning the Hyksos—historically regarded as invaders who entered Egypt over 3,500 years ago, governed for more than a century, and were ultimately driven out by Pharaoh Ahmose I.

According to his assertion, a significant portion of these historical narratives is entirely inaccurate.

During a seminar hosted by Egypt's Cultural Development Fund in collaboration with the Zahi Hawass Foundation for Archaeology and Heritage, Dr. Ayman Ashmawy, the former director of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, dismissed the notion of the Hyksos as a distinct human race.

He explained that the term Hyksos in ancient Egypt actually referred to "tribal chieftains."

I recently came across a statement by Dr Ayman Ashmawy, the former head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, during a seminar organized by the Cultural Development Fund in Egypt, in collaboration with the Zahi Hawass Foundation for Archaeology and Heritage. In his remarks, he claimed that there is no such thing as a human race known as the "Hyksos."

I was both astonished and perplexed by this assertion. It was surprising to see such an idea being presented among archaeologists and heritage scholars, especially under the auspices of the Zahi Hawass Foundation for Archaeology and Heritage, without anyone stepping forward to challenge or refute the claim.

Based on my exploration of ancient Egyptian history and the table documenting the royal lineage as recorded by the priest Manetho, he identified thirty-four dynastic families. Among these, the fifteenth and sixteenth families stand out as particularly noteworthy, especially given the events that transpired during their reign.

According to Manetho, these two dynasties originated from the city of Thebes in Upper Egypt. While the kings of these families had established their rule with Thebes as their capital, northern Egypt experienced a catastrophic event—one of the most devastating tragedies ever to strike the land, leaving a lasting imprint on historical memory.

The priest Manetho recounted that during the reign of the Fourteenth Dynasty, as the craft of civilization in Egypt advanced and flourished, and all indications suggested that Egyptian society was steadfastly pursuing progress and mastery with a sense of security and confidence, an unexpected turn of events occurred. From the direction of Asia, a group of people with neither notable heritage nor cultural refinement descended upon the borders of Egypt from the coastal regions—known to the Greeks as the Delta, or the lake. These invaders suddenly attacked, massacring the inhabitants, looting temple treasures, and forcibly seizing control of the coastal areas of the Egyptian kingdom.

For four centuries, Egypt endured the struggles of oppression and bore the weight of injustice. The true rulers were confined to Upper Egypt, living in close proximity to the tyrants described by the priest Manetho in his writings as the Hyksos, or shepherd kings.

It is possible that these foreign rulers exercised significant power and authority over them, positioning themselves above the native leaders. In reality, they were not merely neighbours but dominant occupiers. The details of Egypt's experiences during this period—marked by unrest and upheaval—remain unclear. The nature of the disturbances and challenges brought by the arrival of these outsiders remains unknown to us. What is certain, however, is that no substantial records from this era have surfaced to provide insight into the true condition of Egypt at that time.