Toby Savage, professional photographer and writer, joined a multidisciplinary team on ten expeditions to Libya (1998–2011) for the Desert Migration Project. Under Professor David Mattingly, they studied ancient migration via archaeology, geomorphology, and palaeobiology.
Toby provided expedition support, drove over 100,000 miles, and photographed discoveries, and will be sharing his adventures in a 45-minute talk.
About the speaker
Toby Savage is a Professional Photographer and Writer. He was privileged to accompany a multi-disciplinary academic team to Libya ten times between 1998 and the downfall of Colonel Gaddafi in 2011.
Led by Professor David Mattingly, the task of the Desert Migration Project was to examine how the human race migrated north from sub-Saharan Africa to inhabit the World. The research work involved:
- Archaeology - examining the finds relating to that period, and the excavation of more recent Garamantian tombs in the Fezzan region of Libya.
- Geomorphology - examining the long extinct shorelines of ancient lakes in the vast Libyan desert, roughly 1,000km south of Tripoli.
- Palaeobiology - trying to piece the whole story together.
Toby’s role was to provide logistical resources with his Land Rover and to take photographs of various finds associated with the project. It involved a great deal of desert driving, and Toby estimates he covered over 100,000 miles on these trips, often in vast areas that had never been driven before.
Working closely with Libyan drivers, this was a great adventure and good fun. Toby’s 45-minute talk will centre on the adventure aspect, whilst giving a layman’s overview of the project.
Booking information
- Advance booking for this event is required. In order to book you will need an account on our website. If you already have an account you will be prompted to log in when you click 'book now'. Please create an account if you do not have one yet (you do not need to be a member of the Society to create an account).
- Tickets are £5, and free for Society members. Students can book free tickets by entering the code Student at checkout. Please book by midday on 29 January.
- We do not issue tickets (electronic or physical) for this event. Instead your name will be on a list at the door.
If you have any questions or require assistance with your booking, please email events@rgs.org
This event has been organised by the East regional committee.
Venue information
This event will be held at The Leys School, Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 7AD.
Doors open at 7.00pm. The event will begin at 7.30pm.
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