Giza Plateau & Archaeological Field School
Contributing insight and understanding to our cultural evolution…
Mapping of the Giza Plateau to understand who built the Great Sphinx and why...
Grant Recipient: Ancient Egypt Research Associates
Giza Plateau Mapping Project
Ancient Egypt Research Associates (AERA) was formed to fund and facilitate the research of the Giza Plateau Mapping Project (GPMP), which grew out of a project to understand who built the Great Sphinx and why. Supported in part by a grant from the Waitt Foundation, AERA co-founder Dr. Mark Lehner and his team have been exploring Egypt’s archaeological record for more than two decades.
Using high-tech computer graphics and remote sensing technology, AERA’s initial goal was to better understand the social and economic forces that supported pyramid construction by creating a high-precision map of Giza’s natural and cultural features. Beginning with mapping the Sphinx, the project soon expanded to mapping the entire Giza Plateau and pinpointing what appears to be the Lost City of the pyramid builders. Most recently, AERA has been exploring urbanism, labor organization and the elementary structures of ancient daily life at the once-Lost City of Giza.
Evidence of an ancient planned settlement just south of the Great Sphinx.
Results: Evidence of an Ancient Planned Settlement
Since 1988, the GPMP excavations have focused on an ancient urban site about 400 meters south of the Sphinx, which appears to be a planned settlement, securely dated to the reigns of two Giza pyramid builders: Khafre (2520-2494 BC) and Menkaure (2490-2472 BC). Many questions still need to be answered to understand why activity ceased at the site between the end of the 4th Dynasty and the beginning of the Late Period.
In 2006, AERA and GPMP published the first in a series of monographs detailing their work at the settlement of the pyramid builders: “Giza Reports: The Giza Plateau Mapping Project, Volume 1.” Construction of the Giza model continues under the direction of Dr. Mark Lehner.
Luxor Town Mound ~ the site of the first Field School session of the 2010 season.
Salvage Archaeological Field School
The Giza Field School was founded in 2005 on land purchased in part with a grant from the Waitt Foundation. Combining high-quality archaeological practices and a close collaboration with Egypt’s government, the school provides specialized training for inspectors who safeguard the country’s treasures for future generations. Bridging the gap between academics and archaeological training, the school embeds active learning environments right into professional excavations. A hands-on curriculum teaches students fundamental skills in mapping, excavation, recording, artifact analysis and more.
Salvage Archaeological Field School
Results: Highly Successful Eucational Program
With the support of the Waitt Foundation and Waitt Institute for Discovery, the AERA Field School has developed into a highly successful educational program, laying the groundwork for a new era of collaboration with the Egyptian government to protect its antiquities. The second Salvage Archaeology Field School class is graduating in March 2010, and will be followed with a new class starting immediately.
About AERA
Ancient Egypt Research Associates (AERA) explores Egypt’s archaeological record, seeking the origins of civilization to contribute insight and understanding to our present awareness of cultural evolution. AERA was originally founded in 1985 by Dr. Mark Lehner and Matthew McCauley, with the assistance of Margaret Sears, to fund and facilitate research for the Giza Plateau Mapping Project. AERA carries out all of its work in Egypt under the auspices of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities.
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Ancient Egypt Research Associates Web site
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