Emery had notably discovered the Buhen Horse in the same area in 1959, the earliest example of a horse to be discovered at an Ancient Egyptian site. As a result of their excavations in Sudan, Emery and O'Connor published works on an Old Kingdom era town and Middle Kingdom era fortress at Buhen. While working in Sudan O'Connor developed his academic focus on the differences and interactions between Ancient Near Eastern civilizations.
The discovery of the Buhen Horse by Emery in 1959, the earliest known horse found at an Ancient Egyptian site, spurred further excavations in Sudan by Emery and O'Connor.  O'Connor's research on the differences and interactions between ancient civilizations in the Near East developed during his time in Sudan.