Sarah Parcak

Egyptologist, Space Archaeologist, and Science Communicator

Our Roy Chapman Andrews Society
Distinguished Explorer 2021

Mon. Apr. 26, 6pm CST

Award Ceremony and Acceptance Lecture:

Acceptance Lecture Titled:

Towards an inclusive future of the past:
How to make archaeology for everyone.

Student Presentation:

The Future of Exploration: Archaeology in 2040 and beyond.

Special Event:

Members & Donors Meet & Greet Q&A

Sarah Parcak has been named the recipient of the 2021 Roy Chapman Andrews Society Distinguished Explorer Award. Parcak is an internationally renowned Egyptologist, space archaeologist, and science communicator.

These programs honor the Andrews legacy and are sponsored by members and supporters of the Society. Distinguished explorers receive a cash prize and a commemorative statue created by the late regional artist O. V. Shaffer.

Sarah Parcak will be the 19th recipient of the Distinguished Explorer Award. Paleontologist Neil Shubin, discoverer of the “fish with hands,” received the Society’s most recent award in April of 2019. Other recipients receiving this prestigious award include Michael Novacek, leader of the first Western expedition to the Gobi Desert since Andrews’s research there during the 1920s that unearthed the first nest of fossilized dinosaur eggs; Steve Squyres, scientific principal investigator for the Mars Exploration Rover mission; and Robert Ballard, discoverer of the RMS Titanic shipwreck.

Keep up with the Distinguished Explorer Sarah Parcak in her recent interview with Ken Lacovara of the Explorers Club talking about “Human Resilience in #Egypt’s #MiddleKingdom: Lessons In the Time of a Global #Pandemic”.

The Explorers Club

Interview with Sarah Parcak
Hosted by Ken Lacovara

Explorer's Club Interview | Sarah Parcak

Sarah Parcak | TED

Note: Sporting an Indiana Jones hat and jacket at her TED Talk.  🙂

Mon. Apr. 26, 6pm CST

Award Ceremony and Acceptance Lecture:

Acceptance Lecture Titled:

Towards an inclusive future of the past:
How to make archaeology for everyone.

Sarah Parcak | Presentation for Roy Chapman Andrews Society

Sarah Parcak has been named the recipient of the 2021 Roy Chapman Andrews Society Distinguished Explorer Award. Parcak is an internationally renowned Egyptologist, space archaeologist, and science communicator.

These programs honor the Andrews legacy and are sponsored by members and supporters of the Society. Distinguished explorers receive a cash prize and a commemorative statue created by the late regional artist O. V. Shaffer.

Sarah Parcak will be the 19th recipient of the Distinguished Explorer Award. Paleontologist Neil Shubin, discoverer of the “fish with hands,” received the Society’s most recent award in April of 2019. Other recipients receiving this prestigious award include Michael Novacek, leader of the first Western expedition to the Gobi Desert since Andrews’s research there during the 1920s that unearthed the first nest of fossilized dinosaur eggs; Steve Squyres, scientific principal investigator for the Mars Exploration Rover mission; and Robert Ballard, discoverer of the RMS Titanic shipwreck.

Keep up with the Distinguished Explorer Sarah Parcak in her recent interview with Ken Lacovara of the Explorers Club talking about “Human Resilience in #Egypt’s #MiddleKingdom: Lessons In the Time of a Global #Pandemic”.

The Explorers Club

Interview with Sarah Parcak
Hosted by Ken Lacovara

Explorer's Club Interview | Sarah Parcak

Sarah Parcak | TED

Note: Sporting an Indiana Jones hat and jacket at her TED Talk.  🙂

As a result of numerous archaeological expeditions to Egypt, Europe, and the Americas, Parcak has provided new insights into the culture of ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Vikings. For Parcak, most of the expeditions have begun with careful manipulation of satellite images that enhances subtle aspects of the terrain, revealing previously unknown archaeological features. She has been a pioneer in this field of “space” archaeology and wrote the first textbook on the subject, Satellite Remote Sensing.

Parcak shares the passion Andrews had as a communicator about science and discovery, authoring numerous scientific publications. Parcak is the author of Archaeology from Space: How the future shapes our Past, a popular account highlighting archaeologic discoveries that have been aided by using satellite imagery and passionately explaining the importance of archaeology and the thrill of participation in such a field.

She has been featured in three BBC productions focusing on ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire, and the Vikings. Parcak is the winner of the 2016 million-dollar TED prize, which she used to establish GlobalXplorer, a platform for crowdsourcing of satellite data that allowed anyone with an internet connection to experience the excitement of identifying potential archaeological sites. The first GlobalXplorer “expedition” was to Peru and produced 700 potential large sites that experts are currently investigating; an expedition to India will be commencing soon.

After receiving her B.A. from Yale University, Parcak earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Egyptian Archaeology at Cambridge University. She is currently a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Parcak is a National Geographic Explorer and Fellow in the Society of Antiquities.

Sarah Parcak Discoveries | Before/After

As a result of numerous archaeological expeditions to Egypt, Europe, and the Americas, Parcak has provided new insights into the culture of ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Vikings. For Parcak, most of the expeditions have begun with careful manipulation of satellite images that enhances subtle aspects of the terrain, revealing previously unknown archaeological features. She has been a pioneer in this field of “space” archaeology and wrote the first textbook on the subject, Satellite Remote Sensing.

Parcak shares the passion Andrews had as a communicator about science and discovery, authoring numerous scientific publications. Parcak is the author of Archaeology from Space: How the future shapes our Past, a popular account highlighting archaeologic discoveries that have been aided by using satellite imagery and passionately explaining the importance of archaeology and the thrill of participation in such a field.

She has been featured in three BBC productions focusing on ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire, and the Vikings. Parcak is the winner of the 2016 million-dollar TED prize, which she used to establish GlobalXplorer, a platform for crowdsourcing of satellite data that allowed anyone with an internet connection to experience the excitement of identifying potential archaeological sites. The first GlobalXplorer “expedition” was to Peru and produced 700 potential large sites that experts are currently investigating; an expedition to India will be commencing soon.

After receiving her B.A. from Yale University, Parcak earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Egyptian Archaeology at Cambridge University. She is currently a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Parcak is a National Geographic Explorer and Fellow in the Society of Antiquities.

 
 

Student Sponsors

Larry & Karen Arft
Jim & Helen Olson
Joe & Dawn Stadelman
Tom & Mim Warren
The Neese Family Foundation
John & Becky Wong

Patron Sponsors

Gary & Vicki Dencker
John & Michele Erikson
Deana Fahn-Johnson & Troy Johnson
Finley Buick GMC
Dick Gerhard
Charles & Prudy Harker
Tom & Marline Holmes
Steve Lekson – 2011 Distinguished Explorer Award recipient
Elisabeth Magnus
Carol Mankiewicz & Carl Mendelson
Bill Mathis
Jim and Jeanie Rippl
Celestino & Emily Ruffini
Jerry & Connie Sveum
Steve Vavrus & Susan Swanson

Reception Dinner

A celebratory reception and dinner honoring Sarah Parcak will be held immediately following the acceptance lecture.

Location: The Stack
Located on the 4th floor of the newly renovated Beloit College Powerhouse
850 Pleasant Street Beloit, WI 53511

6:30 p.m. reception
7:00 p.m. dinner

Reservations are required and deadline is April 10

This is a popular event and is known to sell out. Advance reservations and tickets are required for this event.

Reservation Options

Members — $60 per person (includes special seating at lecture)
Non-members — $75 per person
Students — $50 (dinner only)

Member table of (8) — $480 (special seating at lecture)
Student table of (8) — $600 (includes special seating at the lecture, private reception, photo opp & book signed by the recipient)

Menu

  • Buffet style with protein and vegetarian options
  • Second drink is cash only bar/no credit or debit cards.
  • Indicate on reservation if there are food allergies or substitution needs.

Take advantage of membership pricing and benefits. Join or renew first.

Questions: ruth@roychapmanandrewssociety.org

Reservations

Reservations have been suspended and will be reopened once the event has been rescheduled and announed.
Thank you for your patience.
Questions may be directed to Ms. Carlson.
ruth@roychapmanandrewssociety.org

The Roy Chapman Andrews Society is a 501(c)(3) organization. To comply with the IRS requirements regarding charitable donations for contributions/donations in excess of any value of property or services, your payment is considered a tax-deductible donation.

Student Presentation

Sarah Parcak’s Student Presentation

“The future of exploration: Archaeology in 2040 and beyond”

Sarah Parcak will share stories and discoveries with students while visiting Beloit to accept her award.

Earlier in the day she will present a program specifically geared for students. This presentation is coordinated with area schools and is held at Beloit Memorial High School.

Roy Chapman Andrews Society Student Program