The Giza guru

The Minot Daily News

Mark Lehner said his North Dakota upbringing helped him fulfill his dreams and goals with a career in uncovering ancient mysteries in Egypt.

Lehner, who grew up in Minot, is considered one of the foremost experts on the Giza Pyramids in Egypt.

He spoke Thursday night in Minot High School Central Campus Auditorium, a school where he was once a student. His presentation was part of activities being held for the 40th reunion of his MHS Class of 1968. Many of his classmates attended the presentation.

Lehner has worked in Egypt for 30 years. Since the 1980s, he has directed the Giza Plateau Mapping Project.

Lehner said what took him from the prairie of North Dakota, more specifically Minot, to Egypt was his yearning for "something more" and to learn about ancient Egypt.

Many people - family, friends, classmates and colleagues in Minot - have given him inspiration, he said. His mother, the late Ethel Lehner, was one of the main people to provide him with much inspiration and encouragement to venture forward, he said.