Amr Khalaf Shahat

Amr Khalaf Shahat is an associated researcher affiliated with the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) through the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology. He earned a Ph.D. in Archaeology (2021), an M.A. in Egyptology (2013), and a B.A. in Egyptology (2008). His research integrates paleoethnobotany, stable isotope analysis, and environmental sustainability to study ancient foodways in Egypt and East Africa.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Archaeology, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, UCLA (2021)
  • M.A. in Egyptology, History Department, University of Memphis (2013)
  • B.A. in Egyptology, Helwan University (2008)
  • Graduate Certificates: Leadership in Environmental Sustainability (UCLA 2021), Food Studies (UCLA 2020), Stable Isotope Analysis (University of Utah 2018), Museum Studies (University of Memphis 2015)

His research interests focus on reconstructing ancient dietary practices through paleoethnobotany and stable isotope applications, with a particular emphasis on non-elite societies, climate change impacts, and cultural interactions between Egypt, East Africa, and the Eastern Mediterranean. He employs interdisciplinary methods bridging humanities and life sciences to explore food sustainability and plant ecology in antiquity.

Recent publications highlight his work on food offerings at Deir el Ballas, biomolecular analysis of dietary remains, and methodological innovations in nano-archaeological techniques. His studies often involve case work from sites like the Tomb of Kha and Merit, Nag ed Deir, and the Theban Tomb TT16, using interdisciplinary approaches to uncover social histories.

• Scientific Awards:
  • National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant (2021)
  • Best Paper Award, 3rd place (2021)
  • Dissertation Year Fellowship, UCLA (2021)
  • UCLA Center for the Study of Women Grant (2019)
  • Ahmad Fahmy in African Archaeobotany Award (2018)
  • Best Poster Award, 1st place (2018)
  • Eugene Cruz-Uribe Memorial Fellowship (2018)
  • UCLA International Institute Travel Grant (2018)
  • Metadata Grants, University of California Humanities Research Institute (2018)
  • Silsbee Chair of African Cultural Archaeology Grant (2018)
  • National Endowment for Humanities Photogrammetry Training Grant (2017)

Shahat has conducted fieldwork and lab research at institutions including Simon Fraser University (2019), University of Groningen (2017/2019), University of California, Berkeley (2018-2019), and the University of California, Memphis (2013-2015). His work spans the Deir el Ballas excavation (2019-2023) and the Karnak Hypostyle Hall project (2013-2015), focusing on sustainable practices and cultural interactions in ancient food systems.