Explore / Articles Giovanni-Battista Belzoni (1778-1823)
Giovanni-Battista Belzoni was an Italian explorer and
archaeologist, born in Padua (Padova). In 1803 he was working in
England as a circus strong man, and exhibiting models of
hydraulic engines. In 1815 he went to Cairo to try and sell his
hydraulic engines to Muhammad 'Ali Pasha, and within two years
had begun a new career, excavating Egyptian tombs and temples.
He worked as an agent for the British Consul, Henry Salt, and
helped him to amass his first collection, sold to the British
Museum in 1823. From Thebes he obtained the colossal sculpture
of the head of Ramesses II ('the Younger Memnon') for The
British Museum. He also discovered the tomb of Sety I in the
nearby Valley of Kings, which contained the king's magnificent
alabaster sarcophagus. Belzoni explored Elephantine (Jazirat
Aswan) and the Temple of Edfu (Idfu). In 1818 he became the
first person in modern times to enter the pyramid of Khafre at
Giza. He was also one of the first Europeans to