Welcome to the Board–Lynne Newton, the new Jericho, Palestine Co-Chair

Lynne Newton has a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Minnesota. Her dissertation research, conducted in the Mahra region of Yemen from 1997-2001, focused on Islamic period regional trade and pilgrimage. A Fulbright in 2005 gave her the opportunity to expand that research across the border in Dhofar, the southern region of Oman. Newton remained in Oman to work with the Office of the Advisor to HM the Sultan for Cultural Affairs to continue archaeological work, but also to help establish a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that tell the history of the incense trade. As the co-director of excavations at Al Baleed, an Islamic period port on the Dhofar coast and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Newton focused on maritime trade and the connections between the Red Sea, Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. As the curator of maritime history at the National Museum of Qatar in Doha from 2011-2015, she continued this research while working with international teams to deliver the largest museum at that time in the region. After nearly twenty years in Arabia, she relocated to New Mexico in 2015, but has since consulted on heritage projects in Dubai and Oman. Currently Dr. Newton is the exhibitions curator at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, and is honored to serve as co-chair of Albuquerque’s Friendship City with Jericho.