For release: March 25, 2011
For press information, contact Dr. Lorelei Corcoran, 901-678-2555

The Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology’s 2011 Legacy of Egypt lecture at the University of Memphis on Thursday, April 7, will highlight the contributions of ancient Egypt to the modern world. Michael Jones will present “Outside the Box: Conservation Projects in Egypt and the Social Life of Heritage: Projects Directed by the American Research Center in Egypt and Funded by USAID.”

The evening will begin at 6:15 p.m. with a public reception in the Fountain View Room of the University Center, followed by the lecture at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Jones is associate director of the Egyptian Antiquities Conservation Project of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE). Co-sponsored by the Tennessee Chapter of ARCE, his talk will document how the Center is engaged with its Egyptian partners in the preservation of cultural heritage as an important aspect of scholarship, social development, and diplomacy in contemporary Egypt.

Jones studied archaeology and Egyptology at Cambridge University. He first went to Egypt as a student in the 1970s to work on archaeological surveys and excavations at Luxor and Amarna, and since that time he has worked at numerous sites throughout the country. In the mid-1980s he moved to Egypt to build a career in field archaeology and cultural heritage management.

His work for ARCE began in 1996 as project manager with the team directing USAID-funded conservation projects. Since then, he has directed ARCE heritage conservation projects including the Ottoman Fort at Quseir, St. Anthony’s and St. Paul’s Monasteries (Red Sea Region), the “Red Monastery” (Sohag), the Tomb of Sety I (Valley of the Kings), the Archaeological Monitoring of the Groundwater Lowering Project in Old Cairo, and the Roman Paintings Conservation Project in the Luxor Temple (with Chicago House).

He is especially interested in the role of historic preservation in social and economic development and the sustainability of living heritage. His recent publications reflect the need for, and implementation of, comprehensive and integrated projects that combine theoretical knowledge with the collective experiences of specialists, owners, and residents for effective conservation and heritage preservation.

Parking for the event is available in the Zach Curlin garage, adjacent to the University Center.

For more information, contact Dr. Lorelei Corcoran at 901-678-2555.