Exploring Ancient Egypt (Places in Time) [Hardcover]

Ian Shaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2003 | Series: Places in Time

Exploring Ancient Egypt, the fifth volume in the Places in Time series, reveals the excitement of science and history as it tours archaeological discoveries from ancient Egypt.
Each of twenty chapters treats a particular site, reflecting a variety of site types (pyramids, rock tombs, temples, and most of the major settlements such as el-Amarna and Alexandria) and offering a balance between daily life, religion, and funerary practices. Each site-chapter features a map showing its location, a site reconstruction, and a chronological table covering the span of occupation. Each chapters narrative describes the history of the sites excavation, the principal finds, and a discussion of the particular method being used.
Exploring Ancient Egypt offers a fascinating lens in which to view the culture and lifestyle of the people of ancient Egypt, their technological achievements, their relationships with and ways of exploiting the environment, and the spiritual ideologies that motivated them. Here are some of the places visited in Exploring Ancient Egypt
Hierakonpolis: The First Egyptian City
Abdyos: The Tombs of the First Kings
Saqqara: The Step Pyramid of Djoser
Giza: The Great Pyramid and the Sphinx
Abusir and Abu Ghurob: Royal Tombs and Sun Temples
Aswan: The Tombs and Shrines of the Nomarchs
El-Lahun and Kahun: The Pyramid and Town of Senusret II
Beni Hasan: The Rock Tombs of the Oryx Nome
South Sinai: Turquoise Mining at Wadi Mahara and Serabit El-Kaham
Elkab: The City and Necropolis of Nekheb

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This latest volume in Oxford University Press's Places in Time series covers the range and scope of ancient Egypt by examining 19 monumental remains. Among them are Hierakompolis, the earliest Egyptian city; the rock-tombs of Beni Hasan; the turquoise and copper mines of South Sinai; and the Valley of the Kings. Shaw, a lecturer in Egyptian archeology at the University of Liverpool and author of the Oxford History of Ancient Egypt, explores the history of each site and explains what archeological studies revealed about its ancient life and culture. For example, the chapter on Abydos, the "most sacred place of all," considers its role as the center of the cult of Osiris, documents its excavations back to the 1850s, offers a visual reconstruction of the original tombs, and gives a sidebar about the origins of Egyptian hieroglyphics. This handsomely illustrated volume makes an excellent gift for readers interested in ancient Egypt. Color photos and illus.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Can be a valuable tool in preparing for an exciting and illuminating trip to the land of the pharaohs. This is not a guidebook but an excellent description of all the sites that are on the usual tourist itinerary plus several others that are not.... The book is directed to the general reader, and those planning a trip to Egypt should consider it 'required reading.' It will help make their journey more memorable."--Catholic Library World

"Offers the non-specialist an authoritative, yet readily accessible introduction to the broad spectrum of ancient Egyptian civilization....The format makes the book useful for both history and travel collections."--Choice

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 292 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1st Edition edition (July 31, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019511678X
• ISBN-13: 978-0195116786
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,774,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Exploring Ancient Egypt/ Ian Shaw, June 1, 2010

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This review is from: Exploring Ancient Egypt (Places in Time) (Hardcover)

If you are an Egyptian buff you will love the details in this book. Makes you feel like you are there. Living the life of ancient egyptians. excellent read!!