Our mission

is to support and promote Egyptian cultural heritage, because we envisage a world where the cultural heritage of Egypt is preserved for posterity.

Today the Society supports research projects around the world. We rely almost entirely on donations from members and the wider public to fund our work and run an extensive educational programme of publications and training, as well as events to convey the results to interested audiences.

Our history

In 1873, Victorian novelist and travel writer, Amelia B Edwards, made a journey that would change the world of Egyptology forever. On her return to the UK, Amelia founded the Egypt Exploration Society in 1882. Today, we continue to support and promote Egyptian cultural heritage, by focusing on innovative projects that put people at the centre of heritage and education.

Such is the fate of every Egyptian monument, great or small... every day, more inscriptions are mutilated, more tombs are rifled, more paintings and sculptures are defaced.

Amelia Edwards, 1877

Over the course of our history, we have explored over 150 sites and monuments in Egypt and Sudan and shared the results of this work in more than 350 publications.

We now work closely with the Egyptian government to continue our mission and are the only UK charity to combine archaeological research in Egypt with a busy publications programme and a unique archive and research library. Our online events and courses share the latest Egyptological research with supporters across the world by bringing experts in the field into your own home.

At a time when heritage is more threatened than ever, from the economic effects of the global pandemic or the devastating impact of climate change, we remain at the forefront of efforts to safeguard Egyptian heritage by working with local communities and putting people at the centre of our work. 

How can I help?

Helping is easy and there are a number of things you can do to make a difference such as:

• donating towards our ongoing work here
• joining the largest international crowd-funding body supporting Egyptian cultural heritage today by becoming a member here
• leaving a gift in your Will to support our work here
• spread the word to your friends and colleagues via social media