King Tutankhamun: The Treasures of the Tomb [Hardcover]

Zahi Hawass (Author), Sandro Vannini (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2008

The ultimate book on King Tut and his tomb—the most exciting archaeological find the world has ever known.

The fabulous treasures of Tutankhamun have fascinated the public since their discovery by Howard Carter in 1922. Many books have been written about the boy king and his tomb, but this volume by world-renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass provides the reader with a unique perspective on this extraordinary archaeological find. Images by pioneering photographer Sandro Vannini offer distinctive views of almost 200 of the spectacular artifacts found at the burial site.

King Tutankhamun uses carefully selected objects to illustrate the entire ten years of painstaking excavation and documentation carried out by Carter and his team. Organized to follow the chambers of the tomb in the order in which they were excavated, it illuminates the site's most magnificent artifacts.

An experienced field archaeologist who has made many important discoveries himself, Dr. Hawass imbues the text with his own unique voice, imagining how exploration of the tomb must have felt for Carter and providing invaluable information about the objects. Sandro Vannini's photographs are extraordinary as well, allowing the objects to be seen in even more detail than is possible with the naked eye. 324 color illustrations, including 26 foldouts.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

The enthusiasm of archaeologist and prolific author Hawass radiates from this book. Hawass is the secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt, and he discovered the tombs of the pyramid builders at Giza and identified the mummy of pharaoh Hatshepsut. His presentation of objects in this book follows the path of the tomb chambers in their order of excavation by Howard Carter. Hawass tells the story of the tomb's discovery as seen through the eyes of Carter and of the Egyptians who worked with him. Many of the 26 foldouts show top/bottom, front/back, and side images of objects pictured elsewhere from only one viewpoint. Although lavishly illustrated (featuring 324 color illustrations) with photographs by Vannini, who has contributed to many other archaeological volumes, this is no mere coffee-table book. Not to be outshone by the magnificent images, Hawass's text provides a history of the process of Carter's discovery. Recommended for high school, public, academic, and special libraries.—Nancy J. Mactague, Aurora Univ. Lib., IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Zahi Hawass is Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Egypt, and Director of Excavations at Giza, Saqqara, and the Bahariya Oasis. Over his long and illustrious career he has made a number of major archaeological discoveries, of which the most spectacular are the tombs of the Pyramid Builders at Giza and the Valley of the Golden Mummies at Bahariya. Sandro Vannini has worked closely with Hawass over the years and contributed photographs to The Royal Tombs of Egypt.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (April 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500051518
• ISBN-13: 978-0500051511
• Product Dimensions: 13.7 x 10 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #970,290 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Painfully Beautiful, July 18, 2008

By 

dream factory (Triangulum, M33) - See all my reviews

This review is from: King Tutankhamun: The Treasures of the Tomb (Hardcover)

Gentle hard artisian hands lovigly crafted these exuisite treasures millennia ago. Child's chair, hunting box, cosmetic box, ritual figures, painfully beautiful jewelry of all sorts. Hundreds of carefully selected objects illustrate the array of magnificent artifacts which accompanied the king into eternity...... . . . Sure we already know the "stuff" that was painstakingly excavated. But its the way which they have been photographed that holds the magic in this deluxe book. Yes there have been a number of impressive Tutankhamun books, but this tome stands alone leaving the reader breathless..... . . . Visiting the traveling exhibit is moving, but you are pushed along by the murmuring crowd. With this book you have that chance to dwell upon the lavish beauty of the Tut collection in the silence and solitude of your private inner chamber. Hundreds of super resolution close up deatailed photos. The scratches the grooves, you can almost imagine ancient fingerprints. Through them you can touch the smooth alabaster the cool obsidian. Guilded wood and ebony feel comforting. There is the Klee-like inlaid heron amulet. The golden chariot with ornately carved Nubian slaves shakled in eternal discomfort. And of course the divine sarcophagus and coffins...... . . . The text works well with the photos. Taking you through the years of excavation and progressively deeper into the king's chambers. This book is a significant fascinating achievement. Documenting the majesty of king Tutankhanun. Allowing one to personally rediscover a remote civilization which flourished millennia ago.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars beautiful coffee table book, September 16, 2009

By 

Holly "Stellasfellas" (Columbus, IN United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: King Tutankhamun: The Treasures of the Tomb (Hardcover)

I saw the exhibit in Indianapolis and they had this book "on sale" for $99, regularly 149.99. I wanted it but couldn't afford it. I was thrilled to find a copy here for a fraction of that price! I almost didn't buy it because I read a review that said the pages of the book were thin and flimsy. This was not the case with the copy I received. The pages are thick, glossy and colorful. This book has many more of the items pictured than what was in the exhibit I went to. If you've been to it and you want this book, find one on here cheaper and buy it. It's worth it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous but Delicate!, February 16, 2009

By 

J. Chi - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: King Tutankhamun: The Treasures of the Tomb (Hardcover)

This book that is dominated by the photographs, but the writing is equally rewarding. My only regret is how delicate the pages are. I fear that I will tear or smudge the rest of the pages everytime I read this book. While I have tried to treat this book gently, the pages are not as durable as other, older books about King Tut. However I have looked at several King Tut books, and this is has the best images of the funeral mask, coffins, and coffinettes that I have ever seen. Just wear kid gloves before you spend and afternoon or evening with this book.