William Flinders Petrie was a British archaeologist born in 1853, known for his pioneering work in Egyptology. He is often referred to as the "father of modern archaeology" due to his systematic approach to excavation and documentation. Petrie introduced the concept of stratigraphy, which involves studying the layers of soil and artifacts to understand the chronological sequence of historical sites. Throughout his career, Petrie conducted numerous excavations in Egypt, uncovering significant artifacts and ancient structures, including the Great Pyramid of Giza. His meticulous methods and emphasis on scientific techniques greatly advanced the field of archaeology, influencing future generations of archaeologists and historians.