Our history

The Egypt Exploration Society was founded in 1882 by Amelia Edwards. Following a visit to Egypt in 1873-4, she developed a passion for documenting, exploring and preserving the country’s unique heritage. Her legacy, the EES, continues this mission today.

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, discovered thousands of artefacts and contributed to the scientific development of British archaeology in Egypt.

We now work closely with the Egyptian government to continue our mission and are the only UK charity to combine archaeological fieldwork in Egypt with a busy publications programme and a unique archive and research library.

At a time when heritage is more threatened than ever before, we are at the forefront; developing new ways of working with local communities, training Egyptian scholars and supporting fieldwork projects through grants and awards.

If you would like more information about our history then visit our Collection Highlights to read more.

Latest

Mummies, Amelia & the Local Ambassadors in Bristol

By Prof Joann Fletcher. 18th October 2018.
New hope for glass plate negatives

Look at what you've achieved so far! We've raised over 50% of our target for our 2018 Archive Appeal - here's the progress so far.
Funding available for research

Calling all researchers! You can now apply for funding from our Fieldwork and Research Grants and Centenary Awards.
3D-modelling: From objects to epigraphy

An introduction to 3D documentation using photogrammetric methods. Discover new techniques in photogrammetry and in-the-field documentation with Dr Paul Wordsworth, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Oriental Institute, University of Oxford.