Flinders Petrie

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Flinders Petrie

1853-1942

English archaeologist who was among the first to emphasize preserving scientific knowledge by the careful excavation of an entire site, rather than simply hunting for spectacular finds. Early in his career, Petrie investigated the ancient ruins of Stonehenge in England. In the 1880s, he began an important series of excavations in Egypt, including the predynastic cemetery at Naqada. He established the British School of Archaeology in Egypt and the Journal of Egyptian Archaeology.