Egyptology at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago

Published in 1983, Egyptology at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago offers a richly illustrated introduction to the Institute’s long tradition of research, fieldwork, conservation, and teaching about Egypt. The volume follows scholars at work both in Chicago and in the field, highlighting the meticulous documentation of ancient monuments undertaken by the Epigraphic Survey at Luxor and Medinet Habu, archaeological investigations in Nubia and at the Red Sea port of Quseir al-Qadim, and the early development of the Chicago Demotic Dictionary.

Historic photographs, drawings, and archaeological finds reveal the collaborative methods behind this work—from recording and conserving endangered temple reliefs to reconstructing fragmentary inscriptions and interpreting the written record of everyday life in ancient Egypt. Today, the publication also provides a valuable historical snapshot of Egyptology at the University of Chicago, documenting projects and scholarly traditions that continue to shape ISAC’s research and commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of ancient Egypt.