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Zahi A. Hawass

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The Lost Tombs of Thebes: Ancient Egypt: Life in Paradise Hardcover – November 23, 2009

by Zahi Hawass (Author), Sandro Vannini (Photographer)

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Illuminates the intriguing and mysterious landscape of Thebes and the lives of the nobles who lived there in Egypt's Golden Age.

The foothills of the Theban massif, not far from Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, are filled with hundreds of impressive tombs from the New Kingdom belonging to the people who served the pharaohs. Just a handful are open to the public; many others are closed and can be visited only by scholars; still others have been hidden under villages built over the past centuries and have only recently been discovered.

Written by world-renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass and illustrated with spectacular new photographs by Sandro Vannini, this new book gives an unprecedented access to these largely inaccessible tombs. It reveals some of the most exquisite examples of Egyptian art to be found anywhere in the land of the Nile, reflecting the aristocratic status of the tombs’ owners.

At the heart of the book, three major chapters examine the glorious paintings and exquisitely sculpted reliefs that depict daily life on earth and life in paradise. Other chapters place the tomb owners in their historical context, explore the architecture and construction of the tombs, display the lavish burial equipment, and discuss the vital ongoing work of restoration and conservation. A reference section includes maps, plans, and a checklist of tombs. 300 color illustrations

Print length

288 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Thames & Hudson
Publication date

November 23, 2009
Dimensions

10.5 x 1.3 x 13.7 inches
ISBN-10

0500051593
ISBN-13

978-0500051597
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Zahi Hawass
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“The ‘book experience’ is actually superior to the empirical one, especially when objects and monuments are presented – as they are in these photos – with flawless lighting and minutely focused amazing details.”
- KMT Magazine

“Exquisitely detailed color photographs.

”
- Natural History

“Spectacular…. Highly recommended for anyone, general or specialist, with an interest in ancient Egypt.”
- Library Journal

“Exquisitely detailed color photographs of mural and wall carvings record the religious and social scene in Egypt thirty-six centuries ago, as experienced not by pharaohs, but by lesser court figures, viziers, generals, architects, and priests.”
- Natural History Magazine

“A clear and scholarly narrative of the tombs of the officials or nobles of the Pharaohs in the New Kingdom period.... The acclaimed Italian photographer, Sandro Vannini, provides the magnificent large format images in this beautiful book.”
- Las Cruces Sun-News.com

About the Author

Zahi Hawass has been secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Egypt, and director of excavations at Giza, Saqqara, and the Bahariya Oasis. Over his career he has made many major archaeological discoveries, of which the most spectacular are the tombs of the pyramid builders at Giza, the Valley of the Golden Mummies, and the identification of the mummy of Queen Hatshepsut.

Sandro Vannini is an acclaimed Italian photographer who has worked closely with Zahi Hawass over the years.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thames & Hudson; First Edition (November 23, 2009)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0500051593
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0500051597
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.49 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.5 x 1.3 x 13.7 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #957,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #840 in Ancient Egyptians History

Customer Reviews:
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

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Kim J

Great book

Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2023

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Excellent book with beautiful photos. It’s covered in clear plastic that is sturdy and although used it appears brand new.

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2021

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Nice big book with beautiful pictures. Interesting read about the lesser known tombs and officials.

Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2010

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I purchased this "coffee table" book with a little fear that it would duplicate other books--and particularly--other photos I have of the Thebean area.

There is a great deal of different material on the non-royal tombs away from the Valley of the Kings; and I found the text interesting and informative. I am one who can put up with Dr. Hawass' acknowledged vanity because I believe he has accomplished wonders in improving the whole Egypt experience.

6 people found this helpful

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William A. Llano

One of the best!

Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2010

One of the best books on Egyptian archeology that I have seen in a while! Very well illustrated with photos(fold-outs)showing the reliefs and paintings from the tombs of the nobles, many not accessible to the general public. A fine job by Dr.Hawass and the photographer. A must have for those who love all things Egyptian. I hope that it is followed by another on the Valley of the Queens. Having heard Dr.Hawass lecture several times, one thing that I can say is that he does not suffer fools lightly. Anyone who believes that the ancient Egyptians needed help from ancient astronauts, demigods, magic, or that the pyramids are somehow the products of a much older civilization,will surely get a dose of Zahi's legendary temper. They deny the fact that the dwellers of Kemet where a very industrious and clever people. And as far as closing the tombs, I feel that more should be closed, especially that of Nefertari in the Valley of the queens to further stop the damage caused by constant tourist traffic. It is my belief that most tourist do not know where they are going, when they get there they do not know what they are looking at, and when they get back they do not know what they have seen!

13 people found this helpful

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Stanley C. Sargent

Beautiful Photography but Poor Text

Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2011

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The photos in this book, as in several of Hiwass' books, are gorgeous. Many of them are fold-outs. I love that aspect of the book.

The text, as is also typical for Hiwass, is written for readers with little or no knowledge of ancient Egypt. It's very frustrating to see these great photos, yet the descriptions that accompany them contain usually contain very little information. "Come let me tell you of my great adventures, ignorant little man," is the attitude of the author. Maybe the recent changes in Egypt will see a new head of the Antiquities Dept. there. God knows, we're sick of this overstuffed blowhard.

But the pictures are beautiful, don't forget!

6 people found this helpful

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Raju

Breathtaking and stunning.

Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2010

The book is simply magnificent. Pictures are breathtaking and stunning.This is the second book I have of Zahi Hawass. The other being king tutankhamun:the treasures of the tomb which also is magnificient and stunning. Kudos to the Photographer and publisher Thames and Hudson for the excellent photographs and print quality.

4 people found this helpful

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Darth Vindex (A.V.S)

Zahi Hawass this , Zahi Hawass that

Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2010

THE END OF ZAHI HAWASS - SO LONG AND THANKS FOR ALL THE MEMORIES!!!!

So if I want to know something about Zahi , I'll just hear it from someone who knows the real hard - core facts. I couldn't trust Zahi to tell me how to enter any museum anywhere around the world whatsoever. I'd rather want to go there by myself or ask Robert Bauval or somene who does real research. I was in Denmark over 10 years ago in the Thorvaldsen museum exploring ancient egyptian artefacts and there was no Zahi there to tell me how old they were. The pictures are absoluely stunning , but the text in books written by Haiwass reads for me like rotten flesh. I can't trust someone who fantasizes about pharaohs and slaves and doesn't say anything or complain when tourists are being denied access to sites and when Egyptian authorities are showing disrespect and dishonour towards the people of modern Egypt to tell me that he knows more or less than others about ancient Egyptian culture. I've seen a couple of Zahi's books and they don't strike me of being particularly impressive although the photographs are nonetheless striking , which I feel is characteristic of a significant majority of some of the once myriad one - sided views only litterature on ancient Egypt which portrayed ancient Egypt in an extremely negative light over 20 to 30 years ago. Truth be known , the real curator of the ancient mysteries of Egypt , is the pyramid builders and those who had arrived before them and the wisdomkeepers of modern Egypt. I once spoke to a man who is a close friend of mine but has not yet discovered that there is life on other planets like other people can do by the use of simple arithmetical base logic , who told me that he had gone to Egypt himself to see if it was possible that pharaohs could have built the pyramids. He told me that the feeling he got was that he didn't feel that this was the work of pharaohs. That perhaps the culture which built those pyramids had to be pre - dynastic. So here we've got the testimony of a man who went there by himself and had no desire to invest in the attention of others just to become famous for the sake of it unlike Zahi Hawass who's just there to sell lies for products and connive people.
The current government of Egypt has not resigned , offered damage fee and reconstructed lost monumental evidence , at least not according to the content of recent DVD's I've been watching on ancient Egypt and the construction of the pyramids. Where was mr. Why doesn't the man just go all the way and go get himself a White House position? So long mr. Zahi , and thanks for all the memories. Zahi Hawass and the egyptian authorities'current behavior in regard to the inhabitants of the Giza plateu are two reasons for why we're hearing the term 'Egyptologist'mentioned with increasingly less amount of frequency. Well , at least I can wish mr. Zahi a happy 2010!!!

5 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

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j.a. carreño

Fotos espectaculares!!

Reviewed in Spain on July 15, 2022

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Libro muy recomendable si te apasiona el Egipto antiguo. Aunque está en inglés, por las excelentes fotografías merece la pena.

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Yvonne Rozario

Stunning photography; a treasured reference!

Reviewed in Canada on October 24, 2019

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STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHY! Still to read through text.

Patrick

Lost Tombs of Thebes

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 1, 2011

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An excellent book displaying some of the super tombs seen on the West Bank with superb photography, did get a little tetchy with the photos that opened up beyond the size of the book. This is awkward if you are reading it sitting in a chair but easier if reading it supported by a table.

Text very detailed and offers a range of ideas and facts about the tombs and their occupants. The experience of the author shows through in his knowledge of the Egyptian archaelogy in this area.

Beautiful Book

4 people found this helpful

Mikhail Titov

Five Stars

Reviewed in Canada on September 19, 2014

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one word: splendid.

steven e blomer

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 27, 2016

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