Ancient Egypt: The Great Discoveries (Hardcover)

by C. N. Reeves (Author), Nicholas Reeves (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Most of what we know about ancient Egypt was learned from artifacts blasted out, dug up, meticulously researched, or otherwise retrieved from shadowed obscurity. That information has been presented in a variety of ways over the decades, usually focusing on a particular site, individual, or theme. Reeves (The Complete Tutankhamun, The Complete Valley of the Kings) reverses the approach, presenting a chronological look at the discoveries. Each chapter considers a different event. Some, like the discovery of the Rosetta Stone and of Tutankhamun's tomb, are spectacular. Others, from the Harris Papyri to Kufu's solar boats found buried beside the great pyramid, are less well remembered but still important for the critical information that they reveal. The stories behind the discoveries are as fascinating as the objects uncovered. In the end, Reeves presents a wonderful panorama of the history of Egyptology. Not since Barbara Mertz's Temples, Tombs and Hieroglyphs (1964. o.p.) has the history of Egyptology been so well reported. Unlike Mertz's highly entertaining but informal discussion, Reeves's sets out information on both Egyptologists and their discoveries in a very clear, understandable, and well-illustrated way. Not just a reference bookDalthough its extensive time lines, charts, bibliography, and notes will be very useful for quick reference or as a touchstone for researchDthis is also a delightful book to browse, sample, and return to. Highly recommended.DMary Morgan Smith, Northland P.L., Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
A year-by-year chronicle from the Rosetta Stone to the Valley of the Golden Mummies. Here is the story of Ancient Egypt as it unfolded to the world at large: a magnificent succession of brilliant discoveries and dazzling finds. Ancient Egypt: The Great Discoveries highlights everything important and exciting in Egyptian archaeology from 1799--the year of Napoleon's Great Expedition and the first scientific survey of Egypt--to the excavation of the golden mummies at the Bahariya Oasis in 1999. Some finds are world famous--the Rosetta Stone, the tomb of Ramesses the Great's consort Nefertari, King Cheops' royal ships. Others, neglected or little known, will be a revelation: the Ferlini Treasure with its superb gold finds, or the jewels of Egyptian princesses unearthed at Dahshur. All these discoveries are brought to life by exhaustively researched extracts from the notebooks, diaries, and published accounts of the excavators themselves, as well as by archival images and full-color photographs. Some of the most exciting finds come from the last few decades. Research by Donald Redford at Thebes has unearthed the hidden remnants of Akhenaten's Great Temple, now being reconstructed on computer. Geoffrey Martin's work at Saqqara has yielded up the tombs of Maya and Horemheb, Tutankhamun's treasurer and general. Kent Weeks is exploring the extraordinary tomb of the sons of Ramesses II, the largest ever found in Egypt. Jean-Yves Empereur has retrieved from the harbor at Alexandria part of the ancient Pharos, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. These and other spectacular recent finds are fully described and displayed. Panoramic in scope, the book covers all periods of Egyptian civilization, from Predynastic to Graeco-Roman, and all areas of the country, from the Delta to Nubia. It serves equally well as an illustrated history of discovery, a showcase of the greatest finds, and a superb volume for home reference. 350 illustrations, 120 in color.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500051054
• ISBN-13: 978-0500051054
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #992,707 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Summarization, December 23, 2000

By A Customer

Since rediscovering Ancient Egypt after a laspe of 15 years this boo k was an excellent way to put things in persepctive. Clear overview of old and recent discoveries and an excellent starting place for in-depth research. Interesting reading and wonderful pictures.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review, September 9, 2005

By	VMI man (Richmond, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This is probably the best single, detailed book on the antiquities in Egypt that I have seen. The organization is unusual, but that probably makes it more interesting. It is real written with many good photos. I liked it so much I bought a second copy for a friend who has been to Egypt.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars no better compilation on egypt yr to yr than this, December 31, 2004

By	Kristen Benevides "afghan advocate" (ct usa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

this book is a fabulous breakdown yr to yr of the great discoveries of egypt. the author apologies that it was not possible to get all the discoveries for everything found, but he has done a great job with what has been included. many of the finds are described well in detail, and given to you with the who what where and when of how the discovery came to light. there is a lot of information on every page, including the side margins which will tell you the archaeologist and their background and well as some historical info as to who controlled the aniquities throughout the course of time. you will constantly be updated as to when control changed hands, and the politics involved in why certain people were put as head of antiquites. updates throughout also, on when museums were established, and what antiquities were given away, stolen, destroyed, exported, etc... i havent found a better such complete compilation of events on a timeline than this. not your average compilation on egypt a must have for your bookshelf. nicholas reeves knows his stuff and presents it well