Customer Reviews

Building in Egypt: Pharaonic Stone Masonry

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This book is an excellent source of information on many aspects of stone construction in Pharaonic Egypt, including quarrying, transporting and working stone, construction planning and execution and manpower requirements. It includes sections on pyramids, temples, foundations, walls, monuments, roads, tools and many others. Well researched and referenced with numerous pictures, drawings and diagrams, all in B&W. The writing is of a detailed text-book style and not one of entertainment. With no training in the language of stone working I found the glossary necessary and useful. Some descriptions of procedures were not clear to me, requiring constant flipping of pages to refer to the various diagrams, pictures and charts. I wouldn't recommend this as a casual read, but for those who are truly interested in the subject, this is the book for you. I truly wish I had read this book before I visited Egypt, as it would have answered all of the questions I constantly found myself asking.

There are earlier studies that cover much of the same ground, but this book easily surpasses them all. The author clearly explains ancient Egyptian stone building techniques, including planning, quarrying, and tools. The study is clearly laid out, uses hundreds of photos and diagrams, and the organization follows a logical order that enables the reader to follow the occasionally complex methods of the ancients. Controversies over building techniques, such as the classic ramp problem of the pyramids, are covered by exploring all of the potential methodologies.

This is an outstanding book for anyone interested in stone work, ancient engineering, and the time of the pharaohs. Highly recommended.