Alessandro Barsanti was an Italian architect and Egyptologist who worked for the Egyptian Antiquities Service. He is noted for discovering the tomb of Akhenaten (1891–1892) and overseeing the transfer of the Cairo Museum’s collection from Giza to its current location.
Barsanti operated during the colonial era, when European powers heavily influenced Egyptian archaeology. As an Italian in a field dominated by French and British scholars, his contributions were significant but sometimes overshadowed by more prominent figures like Maspero or Flinders Petrie. His architectural expertise gave him a unique perspective, blending technical precision with archaeological sensitivity.Barsanti’s work helped lay the groundwork for modern Egyptology, particularly in the systematic handling of artifacts and sites. However, specific details about his life, such as his early career or personal motivations, are less well-documented, as he was not as prolific a writer or self-promoter as some contemporaries.