Excavating Ancient Egypt: Fifty Years of Archaeological Memories
By (author) Jeffrey Spencer
Paperback (Published)
(November 2025)
ISBN: 9781805831273
6.85 x 9.69 inches
Price: $42.00
On back order
This book shares discoveries and experiences from 50 years of archaeological fieldwork in Egypt. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at excavation life, key finds, and village culture, blending personal anecdotes with insights into Egypt’s history and the realities of field archaeology.
This book is an account of the discoveries, experiences and anecdotes from a half century of archaeological fieldwork in Egypt. As an alternative to the exclusively academic reports of excavations, it describes the background to operating an archaeological project, with the day-to-day preoccupations of administration, acquisition of equipment and provisions, organizing transport and arranging accommodation. The inclusion of these topics provides a wider view of what is involved in excavating in Egypt. The story begins with experiences as a student on an excavation in the 1970s, then illustrates the transition to directing projects, including a ten-year programme of fieldwork in Middle Egypt followed by a longer period in the Nile Delta. Mention of the key discoveries made over the years shows how evidence is recovered from the ground, with all the associated problems and procedures, to assemble new insight into the history of a site. Living in a small rural village for months and interacting with the local population reveals much about the nature of village life in the Nile Delta and the hospitality of the people, giving insight into the local culture.
Preface
Introduction
1. Beginnings at Saqqara
2. Townsite excavation at El-Ashmunein
3. In the Nile Delta
4. Out and about in Lower Egypt for the Delta Survey
5. Back to Basics
6. Dig-camps and village lodgings
7. Sharing Results: Delta workshops
,
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1. Beginnings at Saqqara
Chapter 2. Townsite excavation at El-Ashmunein
Chapter 3. In the Nile Delta
Chapter 4. Out and about in Lower Egypt for the Delta Survey
Chapter 5. Back to Basics
Chapter 6. Dig-camps and village lodgings
Chapter 7. Sharing Results: Delta workshops
Chapter 8. Five decades of change
Jeffrey Spencer gained a BA degree followed by a PhD in Egyptology from the University of Liverpool. For 37 years he was on the staff of the Department of Egyptian Antiquities (later Egypt and Sudan) of the British Museum. He directed many seasons of archaeological fieldwork in Egypt for the British Museum and for the Egypt Exploration Society.
- By (author) Jeffrey Spencer
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