Hello! I am Lisa Haney, the new Postdoctoral Assistant Curator of Egypt on the Nile. I received my PhD in Egyptology from the University of Pennsylvania, my MA in Ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian Studies and a concentration in Museum Studies from New York University, and my BA in Antiquities from Missouri State University. I am so excited to be here for the re-installation of the Walton Hall of Ancient Egypt and to share my love of all things Egypt with the people of Pittsburgh!
As a scholar, my work has focused largely on the archaeology and material culture of Egypt’s Middle Kingdom (ca. 2030 – 1650 BCE), a period that is well represented in the museum’s collection. My research utilizes archaeological evidence, ancient Egyptian texts and written records, astronomical sources, and material culture to examine the political landscape of Egypt’s 12th Dynasty and to assess how the kings of that period chose to have themselves represented and why. I have worked as an archaeologist and an epigrapher in Egypt and Oman, and I love traveling to new parts of the world to experience and learn about local cultures both ancient and modern.
I worked for two seasons as a part of the combined University of Pennsylvania-Yale-Institute of Fine Arts, New York University Expedition to Abydos under the direction of Dr. Josef Wegner, at the funerary complex of the 12th Dynasty pharaoh Senwosret III at South Abydos. Senwosret III is a pretty exciting guy and he also happens to be the owner of the Carnegie Boat – the large funerary boat from the site of Dahshur on view in the Walton Hall. Unlike most other kings, Senwosret III had two funerary complexes – one at Dahshur and one at Abydos. His reign is a particularly interesting period of time in terms of modern Egyptology as well, because both of his funerary complexes are actively under investigation and every year we learn more and more about him and his reign.
My family and I just moved from Kansas City in May and I’m excited to get to know Pittsburgh and find out where the good BBQ is at!
