Donald P. Ryan
Encyclopedia
Dr. Donald P. Ryan is an American archaeologist, Egyptologist, writer and a member of the Division of Humanities at Pacific Lutheran University
in Tacoma, Washington. His areas of research interest include Egyptian archaeology, Polynesian archaeology, the history of archaeology
, the history of exploration
, ancient languages and scripts and experimental archaeology
. He is best known for his research in Egypt including excavations in the Valley of the Kings
where he investigated the long-neglected undecorated tombs in the royal cemetery. His work there resulted in the rediscovery of the lost and controversial tomb KV60
, the re-opening of the long-buried KV21
with its two female and likely royal occupants, and tombs KV27
, KV28
, KV44
and KV45
. The mummy found within KV60 was convincingly identified as that of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut
in 2007.
Between 1995 and 2002, Ryan worked closely with the Norwegian explorer, archaeologist and writer Thor Heyerdahl
(1914-2002). Among their many projects, the two directed excavations at the site of the Pyramids of Guimar
on Tenerife
in the Canary Islands
. Ryan has been entrusted with continuing some of the research aspects of Heyerdahl’s legacy.
Other research by Ryan includes investigations of ancient Egyptian cordage and other technologies, biographical studies of early archaeologists such as Giovanni Belzoni, studies of the influence of antiquity on the arts, and the documentation of petroglyph
s on the island of Hawaii
.
As a writer and researcher, Ryan is the author of numerous scientific and popular articles on archaeological subjects. His books include volumes in the popular Complete Idiot’s Guide Series (Lost Civilizations, Biblical Mysteries, Ancient Egypt and World of the Bible), The Everything Family Guide to Hawai’i, and A Shattered Visage Lies…Nineteenth Century Poetry Inspired By Ancient Egypt. His television credits include "The Face of Tutankhamun" (BBC-Television/A&E), "Valley of the Kings" (Channel 4, U.K.), "Biography: Howard Carter" (A&E), "Great Builders of Egypt" (A&E), "Missing Mummies" (Learning Channel), "Ancient Mysteries of the World: Easter Island" (PAX Network), and "Secrets of Egypt's Lost Queen" (Discovery Channel).
Ryan is a Fellow of The Explorers Club
and the Royal Geographical Society
, a founding member of the Scientific Committee of the Foundation for Exploration and Research on Cultural Origins, a mountaineering instructor, long-distance runner, and pianist.
Pacific Lutheran University
Pacific Lutheran University is located in Parkland, a suburb of Tacoma, Washington. In September 2009, PLU had a student population of 3,582 and approximately 280 full-time faculty...
in Tacoma, Washington. His areas of research interest include Egyptian archaeology, Polynesian archaeology, the history of archaeology
History of archaeology
The history of archaeology has been one of increasing professionalism, and the use of an increasing range of techniques, to obtain as much data on the site being examined as possible.-Origins :...
, the history of exploration
Exploration
Exploration is the act of searching or traveling around a terrain for the purpose of discovery of resources or information. Exploration occurs in all non-sessile animal species, including humans...
, ancient languages and scripts and experimental archaeology
Experimental archaeology
Experimental archaeology employs a number of different methods, techniques, analyses, and approaches in order to generate and test hypotheses, based upon archaeological source material, like ancient structures or artifacts. It should not be confused with primitive technology which is not concerned...
. He is best known for his research in Egypt including excavations in the Valley of the Kings
Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings , less often called the Valley of the Gates of the Kings , is a valley in Egypt where, for a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the Pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom .The valley stands on the west bank of...
where he investigated the long-neglected undecorated tombs in the royal cemetery. His work there resulted in the rediscovery of the lost and controversial tomb KV60
KV60
Tomb KV60 in Egypt's Valley of the Kings is one of the more perplexing tombs of the Theban Necropolis, due to the uncertainty over the identity of one female mummy found there , thought by some, such as the noted Egyptologist Elizabeth Thomas, to be that of 18th dynasty Pharaoh Hatshepsut. This...
, the re-opening of the long-buried KV21
KV21
Tomb KV21 is located in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. It contains the mummies of two women, thought to be Eighteenth Dynasty queens. In 2010, a team including geneticist Carsten Pusch used DNA evidence to identify one mummy as the biological mother of the two fetuses preserved in the tomb of...
with its two female and likely royal occupants, and tombs KV27
KV27
Tomb KV27 is located in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. This tomb was visited by John Wilkinson, but was not fully explored until 1990, by Donald P. Ryan of Pacific Lutheran University. The tomb is undecorated, and nothing is known about its occupant or occupants.-References:*Reeves, N &...
, KV28
KV28
Tomb KV28 is located in the Valley of the Kings, in Egypt. It was first excavated by persons unknown, and the recent excavations by Donald P. Ryan have found a large number of damaged items from two individuals, possibly nobles of the nearby tomb of Thutmose IV.-References:*Reeves, N & Wilkinson,...
, KV44
KV44
Tomb KV44 is located in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Pottery fragments indicate that the tomb was constructed during the Eighteenth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt.The tomb was re-used during 22nd Dynasty for Tentkerer, Lady of the House under Osorkon I....
and KV45
KV45
Tomb KV45, located in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, was used for the burial of the noble Userhet of the Eighteenth dynasty.-External links:* - Includes detailed maps of most of the tombs....
. The mummy found within KV60 was convincingly identified as that of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut also Hatchepsut; meaning Foremost of Noble Ladies;1508–1458 BC) was the fifth pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt...
in 2007.
Between 1995 and 2002, Ryan worked closely with the Norwegian explorer, archaeologist and writer Thor Heyerdahl
Thor Heyerdahl
Thor Heyerdahl was a Norwegian ethnographer and adventurer with a background in zoology and geography. He became notable for his Kon-Tiki expedition, in which he sailed by raft from South America to the Tuamotu Islands...
(1914-2002). Among their many projects, the two directed excavations at the site of the Pyramids of Guimar
Pyramids of Güímar
The Pyramids of Güímar refer to six rectangular pyramid-shaped, terraced structures, built from lava stone without the use of mortar. They are located in the district of Chacona, part of the town of Güímar on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands...
on Tenerife
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
in the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
. Ryan has been entrusted with continuing some of the research aspects of Heyerdahl’s legacy.
Other research by Ryan includes investigations of ancient Egyptian cordage and other technologies, biographical studies of early archaeologists such as Giovanni Belzoni, studies of the influence of antiquity on the arts, and the documentation of petroglyph
Petroglyph
Petroglyphs are pictogram and logogram images created by removing part of a rock surface by incising, picking, carving, and abrading. Outside North America, scholars often use terms such as "carving", "engraving", or other descriptions of the technique to refer to such images...
s on the island of Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
.
As a writer and researcher, Ryan is the author of numerous scientific and popular articles on archaeological subjects. His books include volumes in the popular Complete Idiot’s Guide Series (Lost Civilizations, Biblical Mysteries, Ancient Egypt and World of the Bible), The Everything Family Guide to Hawai’i, and A Shattered Visage Lies…Nineteenth Century Poetry Inspired By Ancient Egypt. His television credits include "The Face of Tutankhamun" (BBC-Television/A&E), "Valley of the Kings" (Channel 4, U.K.), "Biography: Howard Carter" (A&E), "Great Builders of Egypt" (A&E), "Missing Mummies" (Learning Channel), "Ancient Mysteries of the World: Easter Island" (PAX Network), and "Secrets of Egypt's Lost Queen" (Discovery Channel).
Ryan is a Fellow of The Explorers Club
The Explorers Club
The Explorers Club is a professional society dedicated to scientific exploration of Earth, its oceans, and outer space. Founded in 1904 in New York City, it currently has 30 branches world wide...
and the Royal Geographical Society
Royal Geographical Society
The Royal Geographical Society is a British learned society founded in 1830 for the advancement of geographical sciences...
, a founding member of the Scientific Committee of the Foundation for Exploration and Research on Cultural Origins, a mountaineering instructor, long-distance runner, and pianist.