ARCE – Archaeology News and Announcements

On February 23, 2024

The 2024 American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) Annual Meeting is now open for registration. Every year, the ARCE gathers to explore and celebrate the latest research discoveries in Egyptology. This year, the meeting will be in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from April 19-21, 2024. It will be hold at the Omni William Penn Hotel.

One of the sessions to keep on your calendar is the Fellowship Information Session on Saturday April 20th at 12:45 PM in the Allegheny room of the Omni William Penn Hotel. View the meeting schedule.

Please visit arce.org/annual-meeting to register and learn more.

For assistance, please email AMHelp@arce.org

ARCE Monthly Update

On February 1, 2024

2024 Annual Meeting: Registration Opens this February

The American Research Center in Egypt has released their monthly update! See more below:

Each year, ARCE hosts the preeminent Egyptological conference in the world. During this annual three-day meeting, scholars and expedition leaders present their research and discuss their latest project developments. Additionally, the meeting brings together hundreds of scholars who present on Egyptian history and heritage, recent fieldwork, technological advances, and much more.

The 2024 Annual Meeting will welcome Egyptologists, members of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, archeologists, and researchers from across the globe to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania from April 19th to the 21st.

Topic Article: “Nefertiti: Egyptian Wife, Mother, Queen and Icon”

“Neferneferuaten Nefertiti was the great royal wife of King Akhenaten and, in contemporary Western culture, is perhaps ancient Egypt’s most famous queen – as the iconic bust in the Berlin Museum evinces. She and Akhenaten produced six daughters, a female royal contingent that enjoyed unusual prominence during Akhenaten’s reign. In fact, Nefertiti holds the position as the Egyptian queen with the most surviving appearances on monuments and other artistic mediums…” (Laura Taronas)

Discover the captivating story of Nefertiti, the enigmatic queen of ancient Egypt! From her undeniable beauty to her influential role alongside King Akhenaten, this historical figure is truly spellbinding.

ARCE Conservation Project Updates

The conservation program at Khonsu Temple commenced its Spring Campaign this January with the target of completing work on the raised portico on the north side of the First Court as well as the roof and staircase.

A project to connect fragments of the granite barque shrine was also initiated after Dr. David Anderson’s work of last year revealed at least 15 joins that could be made from fragmented architectural and decorative elements. In parallel, the construction of the new USAID-funded Talatat magazine has started.

This two-storey structure, occupying approximately 700 m2 in plan, is concealed by a six-metre-high reconstructed section of the mudbrick enclosure wall of Nectanebo I to the west of Khonsu. The building envelope is expected to be completed by Ramadan, with fit-out following at the end of April.

The Osireion project, substantially funded in 2023 by the World Monuments Fund, will continue through 2024 with additional funds from the same source. The focus of the project is physical conservation, site management, and the completion of excavations that revealed in 2023 the remarkable transport ramp north of the main hall that was used for moving monumental blocks down into the construction pit of the structure.

For more information on the ARCE and how to become a member, view their website here.

Last Call – ARCE AM 2024 Grant for Underrepresented Students

On December 8, 2023

In Funding & Fellowships

To increase opportunities and access to the ARCE Annual Meeting for students from typically underrepresented groups, ARCE will offer the 2024 ARCE Annual Meeting Grant for Underrepresented Students (ARCE Grant) to a maximum of five (5) eligible undergraduate or graduate students whose studies are related to (or who have an interest in studying) Nile Valley cultures through the disciplines of Egyptology, Nubiology, Africology, Art History, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical, Coptic, Islamic, Middle East, and African Studies, or other related fields. Awardees will be paired with Ph.D. students or early career scholars who will act as mentors during the Annual Meeting.

Up to five grants will be awarded annually. The ARCE Grant will pay all fees related to (i) Annual Meeting registration; (ii) lodging costs and breakfast at the host hotel for each night of the Annual Meeting; and (iii) transportation costs (up to a maximum of $500) incurred in attending the Annual Meeting. Prior to the Annual Meeting, Awardees must consult with the US ARCE Office to arrange registration, lodging, and transportation. ARCE will purchase air or train tickets on behalf of, and in consultation with, awardees. Awardees will be responsible for costs in excess of $500.

Application Deadline: December 15, 2023 11:59 PM EST.

To learn more and apply, click this link.

ARCE’s New Archaeology Field Research Grant

On December 8, 2023

In Funding & Fellowships

Funded through the Antiquities Endowment Fund (AEF), ARCE is accepting applications for a new grant scheme opportunity: “The Archaeological Field Research Grant” which is only open to current Research Supporting Members (RSM) of ARCE. This program aims to provide funding to conduct empirical, archaeological research and/or support student archaeological field training in Egypt at sites that date from prehistory to 100 years old. While the dissemination of results through publications and other materials is the ultimate expectation of these awards, this program supports (for up to one year) field costs such as travel, accomodation, field staff, equipment, and salary for project directors and collaborating scholars. However, indirect costs such as general operating costs incurred within the project but not directly linked to the project tasks, are not allowable.

The ARCE particularly encourages applications from junior faculty, with preference given to individuals with a graduate degree and/or demonstrated experience. Preference will also be given to proposals with the commitment to involve students of marginalized communities within the funded field work.

ARCE encourages you to submit a draft proposal to aef@arce.org before December 20, 2023. Final applications are to be submitted before 12 midnight EST on February 15th, 2024, via a submittable platform located on the Archaeological Field Research Grant’s webpage on ARCE.ORG.

After submission of either the draft proposal or the final application, ARCE reserves the right to request supplementary information or pose clarifying questions. Requesting supplementary information or posing clarifying questions to one applicant does not obligate ARCE to do so with all applicants nor does it guarantee a grant award.

For more information on the grant guidelines and how to apply, click this link.

CFP: ARCE 2024 Annual Meeting – Deadline December 15, 2023

On December 8, 2023

In CFP

The American Research Center for Egypt is accepting papers for their 2024 Annual Meeting. Submissions must be received through ARCE’s All Academic site by December 15, 2023. This earlier submission period allows both organizers and participants to better plan for the continued dual aspect of the Annual Meeting.

Paper presenters must choose between presenting in-person or virtually at the time of submission. Due to the dual nature of the conference, schedule changes cannot be accommodated. In emergency situations, presenters may submit a written request to change their selection by emailing AMHelp@arce.org

Posters, Panels, Best Student Paper, and Poster Competition proposals are only accepted for the in-person component.

Please review our updated submission guidelines and complete your entry via this link.

Submissions can only be accepted from ARCE members in good standing. Please join or renew your membership online or contact us by email.

More information on the 2024 Annual Meeting will be posted on the ARCE website as it become available.

Theban Mapping Project Digital Guides: Valley of the Queens and Western Wadis

Explore the Theban Mapping Project here!

As ta-set-neferu, the “The Place of Beauty” or “The Place of (Royal) Children”, the Valley of the Queens served as the New Kingdom necropolis for both royal children and queens, as well as highly regarded non-royal officials. It boasts some of Thebes’ most beautifully preserved tombs, including the tomb of Nefertari (QV 66), and the tombs of the sons of Rameses III (Princes Khaemwaset – QV 44, Setherkhepeshef – QV 43, Amenherkhepeshef – QV 55, and Pareherunemef – QV 42). The Western Wadis served as a precursor to the Valley of the Queens, as many 18^th Dynasty queens and royal family members were interred here in high cliff-tombs and large subterranean shaft tombs. These include a tomb prepared for the Queen Hatshepsut (Wadi A-1), the tomb of the three foreign wives of Thutmes III, Menhet, Merti, and Menwi (Wadi D-1), and the tombs of the royal court members of Amenhetep III (WB1).

As with the Valley of the Kings, the Theban Mapping Project will serve as your digital guide, providing users with interactive tomb plans, exhaustive site histories, and references. Limited photography will be included and will be added to over the next year. Which tomb are you most looking forward to exploring?

ARCE Podcast: Conservation and Presentation at Carter House

The ARCE Podcast has released episode three of Season 2 entitled “Conservation and Presentation at Carter House, with Dr. Nichollas Warner, Tom Hardwick, Sally El Sabbahy, and Mena Melad.” Listen to the Carter House team speaking about the behind the scenes look into the conservation and curation of this historic house-turned museum in Luxor’s West Bank. The house reopened on November 4, 2022- 100 years to the day that Howard Carter discovered the tomb of King Tutnakhamun.

To listen, click this link.

ARCE’s Member Tour: “Uncover Egypt’s Untapped Treasures: Off the Beaten Path”

Discover the grandeur of Egypt’s rich history on ARCE’s Member Tour, Untapped Treasures: Off the Beaten Path. This remarkable adventure, led by the renowned Egyptologist, Dr. Melinda Hartwig, will take you from Cairo to Alexandria, unveiling iconic and lesser-known treasures along the way.

Tour Highlights:

Visit the Pyramids of Giza and The Sphinx.
Venture into the Catacombs of Kom Shuqqafa.
View the Royal Mummies at National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
Discover graffiti from Pharaonic times to Egypt’s 20th-century King Farouk at Wadi Hammamat
Explore the remote Valley of the Whales (Wadi El-Hitan), a UNESCO World Heritage site that displays prehistoric whale and shark fossils from 40-50 million years ago.
Exclusive visits with experts and scholars overseeing site research and excavation.

Participants must be an ARCE member in good standing. Tour dates are from October 23 – November 10, 2024. Ticket prices start at $10,975 (includes hotel accommodations, flights within Egypt, a private tour guide, and more).

For more information, click this link. To secure your spot, please email Rebekah Atol at ratlo@arce.org, or call 703-721-3470.

Apply for the Antiquities Endowment Fund (AEF) Grant