Dr. Livingston on the RCA Legacy Expedition (Gobi Desert)

Indiana Jones was based on a real person: American explorer Roy Chapman Andrews, whose Central Asiatic Expeditions were some of the most exciting and enlightening of the 20th century. Among other accomplishments, his team discovered velociraptors, found the first dinosaur eggs, and mapped vast, uncharted areas of the Gobi Desert. In 1925, Andrews began his third expedition in Mongolia, but due to a national revolution the team was forced to flee to China, abandoning their research. In June 2025, to mark the 100th anniversary of the famed scientist’s ambitious quest, a team of “30 of the some of the world's best explorers from six countries”* will retrace their steps and complete the mission.

Dr. Candace Weddle Livingston of Greenville, SC is one of those explorers.

An experienced archaeologist and professor of Art History at Anderson University, Candace is also a Fellow in the prestigious Explorer’s Club. The Roy Chapman Andrews Legacy Expedition will carry Club flag #97, which has been carried by teams exploring the globe since 1939.

This expedition is unique in uniting Mongolian and foreign scientists with expertise in archaeology, paleontology, geology, anthropology, botany, topography, and cultural heritage to explore and preserve paleontological sites, decaying historical and natural landscapes, and the intangible cultural heritage of nomadic herders whose lifeways in the Gobi are slowly fading away. The team will not only follow Andrews's planned route but, in the spirit of historical adventure, will use the same mode of travel: a caravan of 38 Bactrian camels.

Candace will serve as the Assistant Team Lead for Archaeology on the project. While an honor to be asked to join such an historic expedition, there are obstacles to overcome before ever arriving on-site. Each international team member must fund their own participation as well as provide support for their Mongolian colleagues; expensive airfare, specific gear, and inoculations are also required.

As many are aware, funding for scientific research has become increasingly scarce in 2025. Candace is being generously supported by her university with research grants totaling $2500, however, with only months until the start of the expedition, she is still shy of the total amount needed.

Please help if you can by contributing and/or sharing this fundraiser with your network. If you would like more information about Candace or the Expedition, leave a note and we will respond.

*Expedition News, December 2024 (http://www.expeditionnews.com/Archives/EN2412.html)