Sarah Parcak
Encyclopedia
Sarah Parcak is an American
archaeologist
and Egyptologist, who uses satellite imaging to identify archaeological sites in Egypt
.
Parcak received her Bachelor's degree in Egyptology
and Archaeological
Studies from Yale University
in 2001, and her Ph.D.
from Cambridge University. Currently, she is an assistant professor of Anthropology
at the University of Alabama, Birmingham; prior to that she was a teacher of Egyptian
art and history at the University of Wales, Swansea.
. In her latest work, Parcak tested several different types of satellite imagery to determine and isolate water sources within the arid region of the Sinai, East Delta and Middle Egypt
, potentially determining probable archaeological sites. This new process greatly decreases the time and cost for determining archaeological sites compared to the older method of local surface detection.
In May 2011, Parcak's UAB team announced the discovery of 17 lost pyramids and more than 1,000 tombs and 3,000 ancient settlements outside San El Hagar, Egypt
through the study of infrared satellite images which can reveal underground buildings. These satellites, orbiting 435 miles above the Earth, are able to pinpoint objects less than 3 feet in diameter. . The discovery was televised by the BBC in a documentary called "Egpyt's Lost Cities . However, her claims of discovery were challenged by Zahi Hawass, Egypt's Minister of State for Antiquities . Hawass stated that some of the 'new' discoveries were previously known, and others remained unconfirmed at the time the program was aired.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
archaeologist
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
and Egyptologist, who uses satellite imaging to identify archaeological sites in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
.
Parcak received her Bachelor's degree in Egyptology
Egyptology
Egyptology is the study of ancient Egyptian history, language, literature, religion, and art from the 5th millennium BC until the end of its native religious practices in the AD 4th century. A practitioner of the discipline is an “Egyptologist”...
and Archaeological
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
Studies from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 2001, and her Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from Cambridge University. Currently, she is an assistant professor of Anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
at the University of Alabama, Birmingham; prior to that she was a teacher of Egyptian
Culture of Egypt
The culture of Egypt has thousands of years of recorded history. Ancient Egypt was among the earliest civilizations. For millennia, Egypt maintained a strikingly complex and stable culture that influenced later cultures of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. After the Pharaonic era, Egypt itself...
art and history at the University of Wales, Swansea.
Current work
From 2003 to 2004, Parcak used a combination of satellite imaging analysis and surface surveys in the detection of 132 new archaeological sites, some dating back to 3,000 B.C.30th century BC
The 30th century BC is a century which lasted from the year 3000 BC to 2901 BC.-Events:* Before 3000 BC: Image of a deity, detail from a cong recovered from Tomb 12, Fanshan, Yuyao, Zhejiang, is made. Neolithic period. Liangzhu culture...
. In her latest work, Parcak tested several different types of satellite imagery to determine and isolate water sources within the arid region of the Sinai, East Delta and Middle Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, potentially determining probable archaeological sites. This new process greatly decreases the time and cost for determining archaeological sites compared to the older method of local surface detection.
In May 2011, Parcak's UAB team announced the discovery of 17 lost pyramids and more than 1,000 tombs and 3,000 ancient settlements outside San El Hagar, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
through the study of infrared satellite images which can reveal underground buildings. These satellites, orbiting 435 miles above the Earth, are able to pinpoint objects less than 3 feet in diameter. . The discovery was televised by the BBC in a documentary called "Egpyt's Lost Cities . However, her claims of discovery were challenged by Zahi Hawass, Egypt's Minister of State for Antiquities . Hawass stated that some of the 'new' discoveries were previously known, and others remained unconfirmed at the time the program was aired.