✍️ Author Biography
🌍 Italian
📚 4 free books
⭐ Known for: Egypt Splendors of an Ancient Civilization (1994)
Alberto Siliotti is a writer, photographer, and scientific journalist specializing in Egypt's history, archaeology, and natural environment.
Alberto Siliotti has dedicated over two decades to studying and documenting Egypt's rich history, archaeology, and natural landscapes. His career began in 1988, directing the Horus mission, an Italian foreign affairs initiative focused on tracing the paths of 19th-century Italian explorers like Giovanni Battista Belzoni. Siliotti has also produced scholarly editions of historical travelogues for institutions such as the British Museum. His extensive work includes leading scientific expeditions into the Egyptian Sahara and oases, contributing to the understanding of prehistoric life and art in the region.
As a prolific author, Siliotti has authored approximately 30 books and guides, translated into multiple languages, covering diverse topics from ancient civilizations to underwater exploration. He is recognized for creating the first topographic maps of significant national parks like Gilf Kebir and the White Desert. His collaboration with the American University in Cairo since 2000 resulted in a popular series of pocket guides. Siliotti's expertise extends to environmental conservation, particularly concerning the Red Sea's fauna and coral reefs, and he currently directs Geodia Editions.
Exploration and Archaeological Research
Alberto Siliotti's career is deeply rooted in the exploration and study of Egypt. Beginning in 1988, he led the Horus mission, an Italian government project aimed at retracing the journeys of 19th-century Italian travelers, notably Giovanni Battista Belzoni, who is credited with discovering entrances to significant tombs and pyramids. Siliotti's work has involved extensive field research, including scientific expeditions into the Egyptian Sahara and its oases. He has also undertaken scholarly projects, such as preparing a definitive edition of Belzoni's travels for the British Museum, highlighting his commitment to preserving and disseminating historical accounts of Egyptian exploration. His efforts have contributed to mapping and understanding remote areas.
Cartography and Environmental Documentation
A significant contribution of Alberto Siliotti has been in the field of cartography and environmental documentation, particularly within Egypt's protected natural areas. He is credited with producing the first detailed topographic maps of the Gilf Kebir National Park and the White Desert. His expertise in natural environments also led him to create important guides for conservation efforts, including works on the Fayoum and Wadi El Rayan, and Gilf Kebir National Park, commissioned by Italian development cooperation. Siliotti's passion for the Red Sea has also resulted in extensive documentation of its marine life, coral reefs, and preservation needs, including guides to its fish and shipwrecks.
Authorship and Editorial Direction
Alberto Siliotti is a highly prolific author, with a bibliography encompassing around 30 books and guides published across various languages and by numerous international presses. His works cover a broad spectrum, from ancient Egyptian history and archaeology to underwater exploration and natural environments. He played a key role in developing a popular collection of pocket guides for the American University in Cairo Press, which has been translated into four languages. Furthermore, Siliotti holds a leadership position as the director of Geodia Editions, overseeing the publication of works related to his areas of expertise, including guides and maps of significant Egyptian locations.