Exploring Ancient Egypt through Satellite Imagery

The speaker shares their journey from childhood in Maine, where they developed a passion for finding sand dollars, to becoming an archaeologist using satellite imagery to uncover ancient Egyptian sites. They describe the use of infrared technology to reveal hidden structures and the discovery of the ancient city of Itawi. The talk highlights the use of NASA topography data and coring techniques to locate and study ancient human occupation layers. The speaker emphasizes the importance of training young Egyptians in satellite technology and concludes with a quote on the value of knowledge sharing.

What childhood activity sparked the speaker's interest in archaeology?

• Fishing with family

• Searching for sand dollars

• Building sandcastles

• Collecting seashells

What technology does the speaker use to uncover hidden archaeological sites?

• X-ray imaging

• Underwater sonar

• Drone photography

• Satellite imagery

What is the significance of the site called Mendy's?

• It is a modern city in Egypt.

• It is a newly discovered island.

• It is a site that appears brown but shows bright pink in infrared.

• It is the location of a famous pyramid.

What was the ancient Egyptian city of Itawi known for?

• Its Renaissance in art, architecture, and religion

• Being a trade hub

• Its military strength

• Being a tourist destination

What challenge did the speaker face in locating Itawi?

• Dense forest cover

• Political instability

• Lack of historical records

• Vast floodplain and shifting Nile

What evidence was found 5 meters below the surface at the potential site of Itawi?

• Ancient weapons

• Fossilized plants

• A dense layer of pottery

• Gold coins

What type of workshop was discovered at the site of Itawi?

• A carpenter's workshop

• A blacksmith's workshop

• A jeweler's workshop

• A pottery workshop

What is the speaker's future plan for the site of Itawi?

• To build a museum

• To conduct further excavations

• To train young Egyptians in satellite technology

• To open it to tourists

What is the speaker's favorite quote from the Middle Kingdom?

• Knowledge is power.

• Sharing knowledge is the greatest of all callings.

• The past is a treasure.

• Wisdom is eternal.

What humorous comparison does the speaker make about the founding of TED?

• It was founded in 1984 AD.

• It was founded in 1984 BC.

• It was founded by ancient Egyptians.

• It was founded by archaeologists.