Kathlyn Cooney

Kathlyn Cooney is a Professor in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at University of California, Los Angeles. She specializes in Egyptian art and archaeology with particular focus on 21st Dynasty funerary practices, coffin reuse strategies, and gender studies in ancient Egypt.

• Ph.D. in Egyptian Art and Archaeology, Johns Hopkins University (2002)
• B.A. in German and Humanities, University of Texas at Austin (1994)

Her research explores the socioeconomic dimensions of funerary arts, craft specialization patterns, and gender dynamics in both governance (Hatshepsut studies) and funerary contexts. She has authored several influential books including Recycling for Death (2024), Ancient Egyptian Society (2022), and The Cost of Death (2007).

Publications demonstrate consistent engagement with coffin reuse patterns (2018), funerary economy (2012), and gender transformation in death contexts (2010). Recent work analyzes 21st Dynasty coffin modifications and their sociohistorical implications.

She teaches courses on ancient Egyptian civilization, art and architecture, and gender/power dynamics at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Active in public scholarship through lectures, book signings, and media appearances, she maintains a visible academic presence through platforms like Academia.edu (48,929 public views, Top 4% scholar).