Dr. Maria Nilsson & John Ward, Husband & Wife Archaeologists
John and Maria, who are both National Geographic Explorers and Explorers Club Fellows, are currently carrying out archaeological works at the vast New Kingdom necropolis of Gebel el-Silsila, south of Luxor on the River Nile, which includes fascinating historical sites such as a large family cemetery & the recently rediscovered Temple of Kheny. They started the Gebel el Silsila Project in 2012, the only Swedish-led archaeological mission in Egypt, spanning over 30 square km2 & 10,000 years of human activity & involving a team of more than 100 people. John & Maria are the founding trustees for the Friends of Silsila, a charitable organization that aims to continue to support & fund archaeological expeditions to this historical site.