6 Inspirational Modern-Day Egyptologists

Egypt is one of the oldest civilizations on this planet founded around the 4th millennium B.C.E. Egypt continues to amaze people throughout the world with several UNESCO sites and the only, still standing, 7 Wonder of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza 😮

Egyptology studies the science of ancient Egypt and is offered in several universities in the United States and throughout the world including:

• University of California, Los Angeles - United States

• Université Paul Valéry - France

• University of Liverpool - United Kingdom

• University of Memphis - United States

• Universität Tübingen - Germany

• Brown University - United States

• Eötvös Loránd University - Hungary

• University of Pennsylvania - United States

• Università di Pisa - Italy

• Uppsala Universitet - Sweden

• Yale University - United States

There are many famous Egyptologists who have made incredible discoveries such as British archeologist/Egyptologist Howard Carter who uncovered Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 and French Egyptologist Jean-François Champollion who decoded ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Today, there are several well-known Egyptologists making waves in Egypt and worldwide. Here are some of modern-day Egyptologists who inspire me:

Dr. Zahi Hawass

Dr. Zahi Hawass is a famous Egyptologist and former Minister of Antiquities in Egypt. Born in Egypt, Dr. Hawass studied at Alexandria University and Cairo University and received his graduate degrees at University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Hawass is credited with many discoveries including the tombs of the Giza pyramid builders, Valley of the Golden Mummies, satellite pyramid of Khufu and mummy of Queen Hatshepsut and has written and co-written many Egyptology books including The Great Book of Ancient Egypt: In the Realm of the Pharaohs. Dr. Hawass conducts international book tours and currently has a 2025 tour scheduled in several cities throughout the United States. Find out more about trailblazer Dr. Hawass at his official website.

Dr. Toby Wilkinson

The next Egyptologist who became interested in Egyptology at 5 years of age is Dr. Toby Wilkinson. Dr. Wilkinson received his doctorate at Christ’s College in Cambridge and has gained a reputation as an ancient Egypt expert worldwide. Dr. Wilkinson has participated in several major collaborative projects including excavations at Egyptian sites Buto and Memphis. He's a member of the Journal of Egyptian History editorial board, fellow of Society of Antiquaries and Royal Historical Society and was consulted for BBC's documentary on the building of the Great Pyramid. He has written several books including The Last Dynasty: Ancient Egypt from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra, Ramesses the Great: Egypt’s King of Kings and Tutankhamun’s Trumpet: The Story of Ancient Egypt in 100 Objects. Currently, Dr. Wilkinson is a fellow at Clare College, Cambridge.

Dr. Kent R. Weeks

Another Egyptologist who, since childhood, knew he wanted to study ancient Egypt is Dr. Kent R. Weeks. Born in Everett, Washington, USA, Dr. Weeks received his doctorate degree in Egyptology at Yale University after visiting Egypt for the first time in 1963. Dr. Weeks has been a professor for several decades teaching at American University in Cairo, University of Chicago and University of California, Berkeley. Some of his career achievements include the Golden Plate Award from American Academy of Achievement, the Theban Mapping Project which introduced hot air ballooning in modern day Luxor (formerly Thebes) and discovery of royal tomb KV5 which contained the tombs of the sons of Ramesses II at the Valley of the Kings. Dr. Weeks has received many awards, published several works, received grants and fellowships and participated in consulting, civic and professional activities. Currently he serves as Professor Emeritus of Egyptology at The American University in Cairo.

Dr. Salima Ikram

After visiting Egypt for the first time at the age of 9, Dr. Salima Ikram knew she wanted to study Egyptology. Born in Pakistan, Dr. Ikram received her Bachelor of Arts in Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology and History at Bryn Mawr College and graduate degrees in Egyptology and Museum Studies at University of Cambridge. Dr. Ikram is a professor, actress, archaeologist and author has been featured in over 30 documentaries and is regularly seen in the media such as National Geographic, Egypt Today, PBS, Discovery Channel, History Channel, Netflix and BBC. She received the Excellence in Research Award by The American University in Cairo in 2006, Annual Award in Investigation by the Spanish Geographical Society in 2013 and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2017. She has work on many projects such as directing the Animal Mummy Project, co-directed Valley of the Kings KV10 and KV63 Mission Predynastic Gallery project and has been involved with archaeological missions throughout Egypt. Today she conducts lectures at conferences and museums worldwide, has published numerous works, and lectures at The American University in Cairo. Find out more about Dr. Ikram here.

Dr. Colleen Darnell

When I saw Dr. Colleen Darnell's Instagram handle Vintage Egyptologist, I was intrigued. Dr. Colleen Darnell is an American Egyptologist with expertise in Late Period of the Underground Books and ancient Egyptian military history. Dr. Darnell received her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Yale University and was involved in a controversy with her current spouse, Dr. John Darnell, whom she had an affair with since her undergraduate studies. Dr. Darnell has published several works such as Egypt’s Golden Couple: When Akhenaten and Nefertiti Were Gods on Earth and has been featured in several mediums including Smithsonian, Curiosity Stream, National Geographic and Egypt Today. Follow Dr. Darnell on Instagram here.

Dr. Monica Hanna

Dr. Monica Hanna is an Egyptologist born in Egypt. She studied Egyptology and Archaeological Chemistry during her undergraduate education and went to University of Pisa in Italy for her doctorate in archaeology. In 2014, she received the SAFE Beacon Award in 2014 for organizing the Egyptian Heritage Task Force and has published several works including Looting and Land Grabbing: the Current Situation in Egypt, What Has Happened to Egyptian Heritage after the 2011 Unfinished Revolution? and Contesting the Lonely Queen. Today, Dr. Hanna is Dean at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport and openly opposes transferring sphinxes to tourist hot spot Tahrir Square.

Direct from Dr. Hanna: "What inspires me in Ancient Egypt is how it has not died is still pretty much alive in many aspects of modern Egypt."