The Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA) at Cal State San Bernardino, in collaboration with the Bowers Museum in Orange County and American Research Center in Egypt, Orange County (ARCE-OC), presents “Tomb Robbery in Ancient Egypt” with Kate Liszka, CSUSB associate professor of history. The online lecture will take place on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 1:30 p.m. PDT via YouTube Premiere.

Ancient Egyptians believed that their name, body and memory needed to be preserved to ensure life after death. So that their memory would persevere for the rest of eternity, they were frequently buried in large visible tombs with the often-luxurious objects that they needed in the afterlife. These wealth-filled tombs acted like a beacon of opportunity for criminals. Learn how various tombs were broken into in antiquity, how the Egyptians designed their tombs in an attempt to ward off tomb robbers, and how the tomb robbers were tried and punished for their crimes. After the presentation, viewers will be able to engage with Liszka over live Q&A chats.

Liszka, who is also CSUSB’s Benson and Pamela Harer Fellow in Egyptology, received her BA in classics and ancient Mediterranean studies and international studies at Penn State University. She then received an MA and Ph.D. in near Eastern languages and civilizations, focusing on Egyptology from the University of Pennsylvania.

After receiving her degree in 2012, she became a Cotsen Postdoctoral Fellow in the Society of Fellows at Princeton University. She has taught a variety of classes on ancient Egypt and ancient history at Roosevelt University, Loyola University and Princeton University.

Liszka is interested in all things ancient and archaeological, but her specific research focuses on ancient Nubians interacting with Egyptians and the Egyptian government. She specifically examines these issues as part of two projects. She is currently finishing a monograph on the Medjay, a group of pastoral Nubians who may become an important group of soldiers in Egypt’s Middle and New Kingdoms (c. 2300-1000 BCE). Liszka also directs the Wadi el-Hudi Expedition to the Eastern Desert. This archaeological and epigraphic project looks at ancient Egyptian mining activities, their organization, and individuals who participated in them, especially in light of ancient ethnicities.

For more information, please contact raffma@csusb.edu.

 About RAFFMA
The Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art, nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, houses a collection that includes Egyptian antiquities, ceramics and contemporary art, and

hosts 10-12 temporary exhibitions a year. Located at California State University, San Bernardino, RAFFMA presents one of the largest public displays of ancient Egyptian art in Southern California.

The museum offers a variety of opportunities providing valuable hands-on work experience and preparation for future museum-related careers for CSUSB students. RAFFMA is a great location for hosting corporate events, networking events, meetings, social gatherings and K-12 school field trips. During the temporary physical closure of RAFFMA due to the COVID-19 pandemic, guests are invited to participate in RAFFMA @ Home!

Visit the RAFFMA website for more information.

About Bowers Museum

Opened in 1936, the Bowers Museum prides itself on showcasing world-class arts and cultures in a warm, inviting space located in the heart of Orange County. Bowers has been voted “Best Museum in Orange County” by OC Register for 26 years and has organized more than 50 special exhibitions in just the past 15 years in partnership with some of the greatest museums in the world. Recent highlights include blockbusters such as Terra Cotta Warriors, Mummies: Treasures from the British Museum, Guo Pei: Couture Beyond, and Inside the Walt Disney Archives. Over 100,000 square feet and surrounded by lush gardens, the Bowers campus includes a 296 seat auditorium, 12,000 square feet of event space, a Patina-owned Tangata Restaurant, a robust Gallery Store, eight permanent exhibitions, and spectacular featured exhibits on rotation, to ensure a full day of engaging fun with every visit. Bowers Museum, bringing the world to you. Though the museum is temporarily closed, the Bowers is more open than ever with free online offerings at Bowers at Home at bowers.org/athome.

About ARCE-OC

ARCE-OC is a Southern California chapter of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE), a nonprofit organization that facilitates the study, excavation, preservation and conservation of important historical artifacts and sites from the Pharaonic through the Medieval Period through grants, fieldwork and field schools as well as high quality training in Egypt. ARCE chapters in the U.S. sponsor Egypt-related educational programs in almost all geographic regions of the lower 48 states, and ARCE-OC is the most active of all of them.