CSUSB Egyptologist receives prestigious grant to illuminate forgotten histories of Egypt’s Eastern Desert

Kate Liszka, the Benson and Pamela Harer Fellow in Egyptology and professor of history, has received a prestigious grant from the Shelby White and Leon Levy Program for Archaeological Publications that will support the completion and publication of the “Survey of Wadi el-Hudi, Volume 1.”

The highly competitive award supports the completion of scholarly works that bring major archaeological discoveries to light — and Liszka’s project does just that. “Survey of Wadi el-Hudi, Volume 1” is described as a groundbreaking academic volume co-authored by Liszka; Meredith Brand, who was the 2022 W. Benson Harer Egyptology Scholar in Residence at CSUSB; Bryan Kraemer, Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art's research Egyptologist and educator; and their research team.

Set to be published by UCLA’s Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press, the book provides the first comprehensive modern study of Wadi el-Hudi, an important but long-overlooked region of Egypt’s Eastern Desert located southeast of Aswan.

For CSUSB, this project marks an important milestone. The support from the Shelby White and Leon Levy Program recognizes not only the scholarly excellence of Liszka’s work, but also the university’s growing role in international research and field-based learning. Through Liszka’s leadership, CSUSB has become an emerging center for Egyptology and ancient world studies, offering students rare opportunities to participate in meaningful, globally relevant research.

And for the university’s students, this project has been transformative. Students have participated in nearly every stage of the research — from archaeological excavation in Egypt to digital mapping and artifact analysis, and now through the writing and editing of the publication itself. The experience offers hands-on training in the full arc of archaeological work and scholarly production, building practical skills in research, writing, collaboration, and digital technologies. The material also plays a central role in Liszka’s classroom teaching, where students engage directly with primary sources, 3D models, and field data, preparing them for future careers in academia, cultural resource management, museum studies and beyond.

While Wadi el-Hudi has historically been known for its Pharaonic amethyst mines — highlighted in ancient hieroglyphic inscriptions — this research reveals a much broader and more complex story. Drawing on years of archaeological fieldwork, mapping, and artifact analysis across more than 20 previously undocumented sites, the team discovered evidence of continuous activity in the region spanning more than 6,000 years. From Nubian miners and medieval Islamic goldworkers to pastoral nomads and medieval travelers, Wadi el-Hudi emerges as a dynamic and multicultural frontier central to the economic and social life of ancient northeastern Africa.

The book’s detailed case studies examine small-scale mining operations, multicultural burial practices, and ancient military infrastructure used to patrol desert roads. These findings challenge traditional Egypt-centric narratives and position the Eastern Desert as a lively zone of cultural exchange and human innovation across millennia.

“Survey of Wadi el-Hudi, Volume 1” will be featured in the open-access DIG Data Initiative hosted by the Cotsen Institute. This ensures global access to 3D reconstructions, artifact illustrations, and high-resolution maps — further amplifying the educational value of the project for both the CSUSB community and broader audiences.

As the university continues to expand its impact, this project stands as a powerful example of how faculty research enriches student education, enhances institutional reputation, and contributes to rewriting the historical narratives of the ancient world. Liszka’s work at Wadi el-Hudi is not just unearthing the past — it is helping shape the future for CSUSB students.