Lingxin Zhang specializes in ancient Egyptian languages and cultures during the Graeco-Roman period (3rd century BCE – 4th century CE). Her research uses written records and material cultures to reconstruct the early scientific, divinatory, and medical practices in ancient Egypt. She is particularly interested in approaching these data through the lens of critical gender theories and post-colonialist studies.
For her dissertation and forthcoming book, she collaborated closely with the Carlsberg Papyri Collection at the University of Copenhagen and G. Vitelli Papyrological Institute to offer a critical textual edition as well as analytical discussions for two women’s astrological manuals from Roman Egypt. Besides her philological background, Lingxin participated in the archaeological excavations at the Precinct of Mut (2017-2019) and the Precinct of Montu at Karnak (2020).
From 2021-2023, Lingxin was Lector of Ancient Egyptian Language at the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Yale University, where she taught different stages of ancient Egyptian language and topics on gender and identities in ancient Egypt. In 2020-2021, Lingxin partnered with the Alexander Grass Humanities Institute at Johns Hopkins University to offer two open online courses aimed at promoting public engagement in ancient studies.