Joe Rogan has welcomed thousands of guests on his podcast since 2009, ranging from experts to celebrities.
But recently, he admitted he’s never had a guest quite like Dr. Zahi Hawass — and not in a good way.
The famous archaeologist, once Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities, joined Joe on May 13 to dive into the mysteries of ancient Egypt. Instead, the episode quickly turned frustrating.
A Conversation Filled with Interruptions and Deflections
Right from the start, Dr. Hawass gave short, dismissive answers.
Instead of engaging with Joe’s questions, he often cut him off or simply replied, “It’s in my book.”
This style didn’t sit well with fans, who called him Rogan’s “worst guest” shortly after the episode dropped.
Joe himself later agreed, calling it possibly the worst podcast he’s ever done, mostly because of Dr. Hawass’s closed-off attitude and gatekeeping when it came to Egyptian history.
The Heated Debate Over Hidden Structures Beneath the Pyramids
One of the most controversial parts of the chat was when Joe asked about satellite images revealing mysterious massive shafts beneath the Giza pyramids.
These images, from a team of Italian researchers, suggested there might be hidden chambers or unknown structures thousands of feet underground.
But Dr. Hawass flat-out dismissed this as “bulls***” and admitted he wasn’t familiar with the technology used for these findings, saying, “I’m not a scientist.”
Science vs. Tradition: Clashing Perspectives
Joe found the satellite images fascinating. T
he researchers used tomographic radar to map inside the pyramids, including the famous Tomb of Osiris, a complex underground burial site with chambers dating back thousands of years.
Despite the scans matching known layouts accurately, Dr. Hawass remained skeptical, dismissing the technology’s validity, which frustrated both Joe and many listeners.
Frustration Over Avoiding Straight Answers
Throughout the episode, Joe tried to dig deeper—asking for proof, photos, and more details about ancient tools and hieroglyphics.
But Dr. Hawass kept steering the conversation back to his book or his personal discoveries, refusing to engage directly.
This led to listeners venting online about how the archaeologist wouldn’t even let Joe finish his sentences.
The Backstory Between Hawass and Historian Graham Hancock
Joe revealed he invited Dr. Hawass partly to bridge gaps with historian Graham Hancock, who’s known for controversial theories about lost civilizations and ancient knowledge—ideas Hawass has long dismissed.
The two have a history of clashing, including a heated 2015 incident where Hawass attacked Hancock during a debate.
Hawass called Hancock’s ideas “lies” and the Orion Correlation Theory “nonsense,” while Hancock accused him of avoiding open discussion and behaving like a “thug.”
A Tentative Truce and an Awkward Podcast
Recently, Hancock and Hawass seemed to patch things up, which led to Hawass’s invitation to the podcast.
But as Joe pointed out, despite the “friendship,” the episode still exposed how rigid and defensive Hawass can be when challenged, leaving many listeners wishing for a more open-minded conversation.
What This Means for Fans of Ancient Egypt
For fans eager to learn more about ancient Egypt’s secrets, this episode was a tough watch.
Instead of uncovering new insights, it showcased the clash between established archaeology and emerging theories, along with the frustrations of talking to someone unwilling to engage openly.
Joe Rogan’s honesty about his disappointment with the guest only highlighted how rare and striking this experience was.