The American University in Cairo (AUC) has announced the establishment of the Amelia Peabody Endowed Chair and Fund for Research in Egyptology, the first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa, and one of only a few worldwide.
Funded through the generosity of an anonymous donor and supported by the Formy Legacy Foundation, the new chair and endowment aim to expand opportunities for teaching, research, fieldwork, and archaeological excavation in Egyptology.
The inaugural holder of the chair is Dr. Salima Ikram, Distinguished University Professor of Egyptology at AUC and one of the world’s leading archaeologists and experts on ancient Egyptian civilization.
“AUC’s new endowment supports research, teaching, and field activities that deepen our understanding of Egypt’s history and lay the foundation for future academic exploration,” said Dr. Ahmad Dallal, President of the American University in Cairo. “Dr. Ikram’s work perfectly embodies the mission of this new endowment—rigorous scholarship in the service of knowledge and society.”
Expressing her gratitude, Dr. Ikram said, “I am deeply honored and grateful to be the first Amelia Peabody Professor of Egyptology. The generosity of our donors ensures the continued prominence of Egyptology at AUC. This chair was created to support and advance the study of ancient Egypt, and I look forward to introducing more students to the richness of Egyptian civilization and its enduring relevance to the present.”
A lifelong passion for Egypt
Dr. Ikram first joined AUC in 1985 as a study-abroad student, where she says she “fell in love with Egypt.” She returned as a faculty member in 1995 and has since played a pivotal role in developing AUC’s Department of Egyptology through her fieldwork, international collaborations, and public outreach.
A prolific scholar, Ikram has published extensively on topics including animal mummification, funerary art, environmental archaeology, and ancient diets and diseases—areas that have reshaped academic understanding of daily life in ancient Egypt. Her research has led to numerous groundbreaking discoveries and continues to inspire students and scholars worldwide.
Honoring a spirit of discovery
The endowed chair is named after Amelia Peabody, a fictional Egyptologist and adventurer created by author Elizabeth Peters. The character, set in the late 19th century, embodies courage, curiosity, and an abiding love for Egypt—qualities that AUC says mirror the spirit of the field itself.
Through the Amelia Peabody Chair and Fund, Dr. Ikram will continue her pioneering research and lead new field initiatives in Egyptology, helping position AUC as a global hub for the study of ancient Egyptian civilization.
Egyptology at AUC
Egyptology has long been a cornerstone of AUC’s academic and cultural mission. Publications by AUC Press consistently rank among the best-selling titles in the field, including Dr. Ikram’s own works such as The Mummy in Ancient Egypt, Death and Burial in Ancient Egypt, and Divine Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt. Other AUC Press bestsellers include Ancient Nubia: African Kingdoms on the Nile, Gods and Myths of Ancient Egypt, Nefertiti: Queen and Pharaoh of Egypt, and Jewelry and Ornament in Ancient Egypt.
In closing, Dr. Ikram emphasized the broader purpose of the discipline: “Egyptology at AUC is not only about training future scholars—it’s about helping Egyptian students connect with their heritage, understand their history, and appreciate its value to Egypt and to the world.”
