Joyce A Tyldesley

Joyce Ann Tyldesley, born in 1960, is a British archaeologist and Egyptologist with a focus on women in ancient Egypt. After earning a first-class degree in archaeology from the University of Liverpool and a PhD in Paleolithic archaeology from the University of Oxford, she began her academic career. Tyldesley has worked as a lecturer and later as a freelance Egyptologist, contributing to television programs and writing extensively for both academic and general audiences. She has held a joint appointment at the University of Manchester, where she is a Professor of Egyptology, overseeing online certificate, diploma, and master's programs in the subject. Her research has explored the roles and independence of women in ancient Egyptian society, drawing comparisons to other historical periods. Tyldesley also has practical archaeological fieldwork experience in Britain, Europe, and Egypt. She co-established Rutherford Press Limited, a publishing house dedicated to ancient Egyptian topics, which supported fieldwork and museum donations. She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2024 for her contributions to Egyptology and heritage.

Joyce A. Tyldesley was educated privately and went on to earn a first-class honours degree in archaeology from the University of Liverpool, specializing in the Eastern Mediterranean. She pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford, receiving a Doctor of Philosophy in Paleolithic archaeology for her research on Mousterian bifaces. Her career began with a lectureship in Prehistoric Archaeology at Liverpool. Subsequently, she transitioned to freelance work as an Egyptologist and archaeologist, engaging in writing, television collaborations, and teaching. Since 2007, she has been associated with the University of Manchester, holding a professorship in Egyptology. In this role, she directs and tutors several online Egyptology programs, including certificate, diploma, and master's degrees, and has developed numerous online courses and resources for various educational levels.

Tyldesley's scholarly work extensively covers ancient Egypt, with a particular emphasis on the lives and roles of women in that society. She has highlighted the significant legal and social independence enjoyed by ancient Egyptian women, which she notes was often greater than that of their counterparts in ancient Greece and Rome, and even many women until the late 19th century. Her publications include numerous books for both adults and children, such as 'Daughters of Isis: Women of Ancient Egypt,' 'Hatshepsut: The Female Pharaoh,' and 'Nefertiti: Egypt's Sun Queen.' She has also authored works on pharaohs, mummies, and the broader history and culture of ancient Egypt, many of which have accompanied television documentaries. Her book 'Tutankhamen's Curse' received the Felicia A. Holton Book Award.

Beyond her academic and writing pursuits, Tyldesley has been actively involved in promoting Egyptology. She co-founded Rutherford Press Limited, a publishing venture aimed at making scholarly works on ancient Egypt accessible while also funding archaeological fieldwork. The press made significant donations to institutions like the Manchester Museum and the Egypt Exploration Society. Tyldesley possesses considerable fieldwork experience, having participated in excavations and surveys in Britain, Europe, and Egypt. She has also contributed to public understanding of Egyptology through broadcasting, appearing on various television series. Her dedication to the field was recognized with an OBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to Egyptology and heritage, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Bolton.

“enjoyed a legal, social and sexual independence unrivalled by their Greek or Roman sisters, or in fact by most women until the late nineteenth century”

“keenly conscious of her exceptional place in history”

“Now my heart turns this way and that, as I think what the people will say—those who shall see my monuments in years to come, and who shall speak of what I have done.”

“bravery, guile... self-reinvention... and the ability to control their own image”