Excavated From the Archives: Recovering the Contributions of Cyrus Ashton Rollins Sanborn to Expeditions in Egypt, 1915-1921

Abstract

This study explores the contributions of Cyrus Ashton Rollins Sanborn, known throughout his lifetime as Ashton Sanborn, to four archaeological expeditions in Egypt during the early twentieth century: Clarence Fisher’s work at Dendera and Memphis during the 1915-1916 archaeological season, Fisher’s continuing excavations from 1919 to 1920, George Reisner’s expedition at the Giza Pyramids in 1920, and Reisner’s secondary excavations at Meroe in 1921. Sanborn worked closely with both Fisher and Reisner, two Egyptologists who became well known in their field during their lifetimes and beyond, particularly in Reisner’s case. Yet Sanborn’s name retains no immediate recognition; his life’s work has not been rewarded by historical memory, legacy, or any measure of scholarly fame. This study examines Sanborn’s personal correspondence during his time working with these excavation projects in coordination with the expedition diaries of Clarence Fisher, published materials resulting from the digs, and historical narratives that have survived over the past century. Were Sanborn’s professional contributions in fact crucial to the ultimate success of each of these four archaeological projects, despite his later obscurity? The primary results of this study has been that due to likely misappropriated or omitted official credit, ambiguous documentation of excavation efforts from which Sanborn’s work cannot be clearly disentangled, and personal affairs that affected Sanborn’s opportunities and contributions, a clear line cannot be drawn between Sanborn’s personal efforts and any of the four excavations examined. The ultimate conclusion of the study is that though Sanborn’s participation may have been critical, in varying degrees, to the excavations’ daily operations, his involvement was not necessarily fundamental to each project’s overall success. Despite such findings, this investigation of Sanborn’s contributions has brought to light invaluable historical and personal insight to significant wartime American expeditions in Egypt, revealing a previously unacknowledged voice in the field of Egyptology.