Ancient Egypt Research Associates (AERA)

AERA: 2006 Giza Field School
Under the direction of Dr. Mark Lehner, this innovative educational experience welcomes inspectors from Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities to collaborate with Ancient Egypt Research Associates (AERA) archaeologists in a unique learning environment. Participants acquire the fundamental skills involved in archaeological mapping, excavation, and artifact analysis. This interdisciplinary program not only helps archaeologists to piece together the story of Giza’s glorious ancient past but enables us to contribute to the success of those entrusted to safeguard Egypt’s treasures for future generations.

AERA’s Field School was founded in 2005 and, since then, has gained international recognition for combining high-quality archaeological practices and a close collaboration with the Egyptian government to uniquely advance Egyptian archaeological research while sharing new information abut Ancient Egypt with the rest of the world. By embedding classrooms and an active learning environment right into AERA’s professional excavations, our Field School provides Egyptian Antiquities Inspectors the tools and knowledge they need to ensure that all digs in Egypt are conducted with internationally accepted scientific methods that will protect the archaeological record for future generations. With well-trained state archaeologists in the field, Egypt’s rich and vast archaeological heritage is protected and properly studied.

With the generous support of the Waitt Institute for Discovery, the AERA Field School has grown into a hugely successful educational program, and now an average of 300 Egyptian scholars apply each year for a mere 30 available seats, thus laying the groundwork for a new generation of scientific collaboration with the Egyptian government.