author
Reginald Engelbach
1888–1946
An engineer turned Egyptologist, he spent much of his career in Egypt and became especially known for his work at the Cairo Museum. His books and excavation reports helped make ancient Egyptian objects, tombs, and building methods clearer to both scholars and general readers.
1 Audiobook
The Aswân Obelisk With some remarks on the Ancient Engineering
by Reginald Engelbach
About the author
Born in Devon in 1888, Reginald "Rex" Engelbach first trained as an engineer before illness led him to Egypt, where he developed a lasting interest in ancient Egyptian history and archaeology. After further study in Egyptology, Coptic, and Arabic, he worked with Flinders Petrie on excavations and went on to build a career that combined technical skill with close archaeological observation.
Engelbach is chiefly associated with the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, where he worked for many years and later served as chief keeper. He was known for careful museum and field work, including the compilation of artifact records, and he also excavated at sites in Egypt and nearby regions. That practical experience shaped his writing, which often explains ancient construction, burial customs, and objects with unusual clarity.
He died in Cairo in 1946. Although not as widely known today as some of his contemporaries, he remains an important figure for readers interested in early twentieth-century Egyptology, especially for the way he brought together engineering knowledge, museum work, and archaeological research.