Why a fiction writer loves Egypt's ancient past, (yet prefers not to write historical novels)

In this 'curse of covid-19' time, who doesn't like the ancient past?

"Where I love to dwell most of all is on the sensation of 'ancientness' itself, on experiencing ancientness – brushing up against its cobwebs, descending its worn steps, being in its ruined and compelling presence, the past refracted through, and impacting on lives today.

I want the patina of the ancient past... rubbing off on modern characters’ skins today.”