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Lauren Lippiello

 

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Lauren Lippiello
Ph.D. Candidate, Yale University
DIA Fellow, Spring 2011 

Lauren is pursuing a doctorate in Egyptology at Yale University within the department of Near
Eastern Languages and Civilizations. Her dissertation focuses on the evolution of ancient
Egyptian religious and symbolic systems in conjunction with political and social structures as
evidenced by artistic, architectural, and textual remains. To that end, the research interests of
the fellow at the Digital Institute for Archaeology focus on the application of new technologies
to the study of rock art in order to achieve a better understanding of the relationship between
religious and political systems in the nascent ancient Egyptian state. More specifically, research
includes analysis of the temporal and spatial patterning of rock art images at the local, regional,
and interregional levels at seven discrete rock art sites in southern Egypt. By mapping the
spatial distribution of stylistic variations, with respect to diachronic change, Lauren establishes
the widespread recognition of specific ancient politico-religious symbols and demonstrates the
existence and extent of different spheres of influence radiating from particular political centers.
With the assistance of historic satellite imagery, additional research focuses on the identification
of common denominators that accurately describe the placement and appearance of known rock
art. Ultimately, these criteria assist in directing physical surveys leading to new site discovery
that would otherwise be time consuming and costly due to the intricacies of desert wadi systems
and the vast amount of suitable carving surfaces.

DIA Project

Space and Spatiality: Rock Art as Indicator of Land Use Patterns during the Incipient Egyptian State (4000
- 3000 BCE)