More than 3,000 years ago, King Tutankhamun's desiccated body was lovingly wrapped and sent into the future as an immortal god. After resting undisturbed for more than three millennia, King Tut's mummy was suddenly awakened in 1922. Archaeologist Howard Carter had discovered the boy-king's tomb, and the soon-to-be famous mummy's story--even more dramatic than King Tut's life--began.
The mummy's "afterlife" is a modern story, not an ancient one. Award-winning science writer Jo Marchant traces the mummy's story from its first brutal autopsy in 1925 to the most recent arguments over its DNA. From the glamorous treasure hunts of the 1920s to today's high-tech scans in volatile modern Egypt, Marchant introduces us to the brilliant and sometimes flawed people who have devoted their lives to revealing the mummy's secrets, unravels the truth behind the hyped-up TV documentaries, and explains what science can and can't tell us about King Tutankhamun.

This book is intended for biblical scholars, scholars of ancient Judaism and Christianity. With contributions by: Vaux, R. De; Unknown function: Crowfoot, G. M. Unknown function: Plenderleith, H. J. Unknown function: Harding, G. L.

The nature of historical and archaeological research is such that biblical and archaeological evidence should both be taken into account so that we can attain a more reliable reconstruction of ancient Israel. Nowadays we are faced with numerous reconstructions which are very often diametrically opposed to each other owing to the different assumptions of scholars. An examination of certain issues of epistemology in the current climate of postmodernism, shows that the latter is self-defeating when it claims that we cannot attain any true knowledge about the past.
Illustrations are taken from the history of pre-exilic Israel; however, the indissoluble unity of text and artefact is made clearer and more concrete through a detailed case study about the location of the house of Rahab as depicted in Joshua 2: 15, irrespective of whether this text is historical or not. Text and artefact should work hand in hand even when narratives turn out to be fictional, since thus there emerges a clearer picture of the external world which the author would have had in mind.

Ancient Egypt, with its spectacular temples and tombs, its history, gods, and legends, has enticed the human imagination for centuries. This fascination--and the irresistible drive to unearth the buried secrets of a lost civilization--have been the life work of archaeologist Donald P. Ryan. "Beneath the Sands of Egypt" is the gripping first-person account of a real-life "Indiana Jones" as he recalls a career spent delving into the remains of Egypt's past--including his headline-making rediscovery of a lost tomb in the Valley of the Kings containing the mummy of the famous female pharaoh Hatshepsut.

Infused with the irrepressible curiosity and the incomparable wonder of discovery that have fueled Ryan's lifelong journey, "Beneath the Sands of Egypt" is the extraordinary story of a man who has always embraced adventure whenever--and wherever--he finds it.

A fully photographed catalogue of 18 shabtis in the Egyptian Museum, Florence with military titles. Each entry contains a description of the shabti and a transcription, translation and commentary on the title. Italian text.

What are the political uses-and misuses-of archaeology in the Middle East? In answering this question, the contributors to this volume lend their regional expertise to a variety of case studies, including the Taliban's destruction of Buddhas in Afghanistan, the commercialization of archaeology in Israel, the training of Egyptian archaeology inspectors, and the debate over Turkish identity sparked by the film Troy, among other provocative subjects. Other chapters question the ethical justifications of archaeology in places that have "alternative engagements with the material past." In the process, they form various views of the role of the archaeologist, from steward of the historical record to agent of social change. The diverse contributions to this volume share a common framework in which the political use of the past is viewed as a process of social discourse. According to this model, political appropriations are seen as acts of social communication designed to accrue benefits to particular groups. Thus the contributors pay special attention to competing social visions and the filters these impose on archaeological data. But they are also attentive to the potential consequences of their own work. Indeed, as the editors remind us, "people's lives may be affected, sometimes dramatically, because of the material remains that surround them." Rounding out this important volume are critiques by two top scholars who summarize and synthesize the preceding chapters.|What are the political uses--and misuses--of archaeology in the Middle East? The contributors to this volume lend their regional expertise to a variety of case studies, including the Taliban's destruction of Buddhas in Afghanistan, the commercialization of archaeology in Israel, and the debate over Turkish identity sparked by the film Troy. In the process, they form various views of the role of the archaeologist, from steward of the historical record to agent of social change.

Despite major movements for change, in practice archaeologists still pursue the past to the exclusion of the present inhabitants of archaeological landscapes. Archaeological archives hold a key to the formation of archaeology as a separate study, but they may be overlooked in current debates on ethics in archaeology and anthropology. This study focuses on the great archive that records the work of Flinders Petrie in Egypt, first in 1880-1882 under a nationalist government, and then during the English military occupation that lasted from 1882 until after his death in 1942. The archive brings to life the main Egyptian supervisors who enabled Petrie to function as an archaeologist, while payroll lists record the names of hundreds more men and children on the full labour force. None of these Egyptians have received recognition as an archaeologist in history-writing, foreign or Egyptian. This archival ground offers a new open resource to those within Egypt and elsewhere opposed to the neo-colonial regime of the disciplines.

Outlining the major political and cultural events, A History of Ancient Egypt is an authoritative and accessible introduction to this fascinating ancient culture. * An accessible chronological narrative that draws on a range of historical sources * Offers an up-to-date survey of ancient Egypt s history from its origins to its domination by the Roman Empire * Considers social and economic life and the rich culture of ancient Egypt * Places Egypt s history within its regional context, detailing interactions with Asia and Africa * Engages students with various perspectives on a range of critical issues with the Key Debate section included in each chapter * Makes the latest discoveries and scholarship accessible to a wide audience

The Nile and its People is an ambitious title, covering 7000 years of Egyptian history, from the time of the first settlers in Egypt through to the modern day, with the Nile being the constant element throughout. Changes through history of the culture and people are reflected in how the river was seen and used. As their manipulation and exploitation of the Nile improved so did their economy. Follow the journey of the Nile thus far: from the attraction it held for early settlers and how it affected their living methods; through the pharaonic period and how it was used politically; to the nineteenth-century industrial age and its role as a centre for tourism. Speculate as to what changes will shape the future of Egypt and her culture. Whatever the age, this important and peaceful body of water will be a constant presence through the centre of the landscape forever.

In the cemeteries of Graeco-Roman Alexandria in Egypt, archaeological investigations initiated more than a century ago discovered various water systems adapted for specific funerary purposes. From the foundation of the city in 332 B.C. to the third century A.C., over fifty hydraulic installations have been noted within the records of Alexandria itself and its vicinity. From a corpus that inventories the hydraulic structures identified to this day in the archaeological literature, the different water management systems are described and reasons put forward to explain the presence of these devices (wells, cisterns, basins, etc.). The results show that the cemeteries should not just be considered as a cities for the dead but also as places of rebirth and life. Some of the devices discovered within the funerary context have echoes in the libation systems already known in the Mediterranean and lead towards an evaluation, from textual and iconographical documents, of the role of water in the offerings to the Alexandrian dead. French text.

Building on the latest research, Wolfram Grajetzki here looks in detail at the circle of officials that surrounded the king in the Middle Kingdom of ancient Egypt (Eleventh to Thirteenth Dynasty, also including the Second Intermediate Period; c. 2040-1550 BC). Describing the history of the principal offices of state, he takes into account inscriptions, monuments and the few preserved tombs, and traces the careers of some individual officials. The holders of these offices were the men chosen by the king to be his close advisers. They received strings of important titles, and their monuments are among the finest works of art and architecture of the time. Over all the other officials and second only to the king stood the 'tjaty', or vizier, while alongside him and of only slightly lower status, the treasurer was in charge of the resources of the country. From the evidence for these men, a new, more precise image emerges of ancient Egyptian civilization in its monumental accomplishments and its daily operations. "Court Officials of the Middle Kingdom" is essential reading for all scholars and students of the period. The text is copiously illustrated with drawings by Paul Whelan.

This volume looks at the influence of Near Eastern architecture on the design of the Egyptian 20th dynasty fort at Medinet Habu. The discussion widens to examine more general questions on conceptions and functions of building in Ancient Egypt and on architectural change in the whole New Kingdom period. Italian text.

Where did the Israelites originate? What was the fate of the Canaanites? In this revealing introduction, Jonathan M. Golden tackles these and other hotly debated questions. Drawing on the extensive and often surprising archeological record, he looks at daily life in antiquity, providing rich portraits of the role of women, craft production, metallurgy, technology, political and social organization, trade, and religious practices. Golden traces the great religious traditions that emerged in this region back to their most ancient roots, drawing on the evidence of scriptures and other texts as well as the archeological record. Though the scriptures stress the primacy of Israel, the author considers the Canaanites and Philistines as well, examining the differences between highland and coastal cultures and the cross-fertilization between societies. He offers a clear, objective look at the evidence for the historical accuracy of the biblical narrative, based on the latest thinking among archeologists worldwide.

This two-volume account of archaeological investigations in central and eastern Luristan reflects work carried out over 50 years in the remote area of western Iran, north of the Zagros Mountains. Included are excavation reports on the Chalcolithic site of Kamtarlan and on an Iron Age shrine on the slopes og Surkh Dum-I-Luri mountain.

Examines the evolution of astronomical thought, as well as the various astronomical and cosmovisional ideas in pharaonic Egypt (circa 2800 -1200 BCE).

Originally published 1965, this volume is being reissued to make the entire series available to students and scholars of biblical and post-biblical Judaism and early Christianity.

In a chapel in the old crenellated church of Mary of Zion in Aksum, Ethiopia is kept an object that emperors, patriarchs and priests have assured the world is the most important religious relic of all time: the tabota Seyon, Ark of the Covenant, the Ark of Zion. This Ark is alleged to be no other than the Ark that Moses had constructed at Sinai and which destroyed the walls of Jericho. It was brought into Jerusalem by King David and installed in a magnificent temple by King Solomon. Then, the story goes, it came to Ethiopia of its own choice with the half-Ethiopian, half-Jewish son of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Are the legends true? Or is this story a monumental deception? Is there any real proof or is it the faith of a people alone that has created this Ark? From ancient texts to local stories, from the Bible to the writings of sixteenth and seventeenth century Jesuits, Stuart Munro-Hay traces the extraordinary legend of Ethiopia's Ark in what is a triumph of historical detective work. Munro-Hay scrutinises every mention of the Ark in Ethiopian records and tests every theory before he reaches his shocking conclusion. "The Quest for the Ark of the Covenant" promises to settle the mystery of the Ark of the Covenant for once and for all.

This work ('The High Priests of Amun in the 'wHm mswt' Era and the Twenty-First Dynasty') explores the chronological, genealogical and historical controversies from a very dark episode in ancient Egypt: the period at the end of the rule of Ramesses XI and the beginning of the Third Intermediate Period (XXI Dynasty). The research focuses on the role played by the Theban High Priests of Amun - a field of study so far neglected by other Egyptologists. In Spanish with an extended English summary.

An exploration of the social and military role of the Shardana mercenaries in Egypt during the 13th to the 11th centuries BC. In Italian.

Performance and Drama in Ancient Egypt examines archaeological and textual materials for evidence of performance-based activities in Egypt from the beginning of the historic period until the later Roman Empire. It takes as its starting point enactments of performance texts from the Graeco-Roman period done by the author's students and examines the widespread vogue for re-enactments on archaeological sites and in the mass media. Performance and Drama in Ancient Egypt presents an historically-based survey of ancient Egyptian performance activities that relates them to other cultural and historical developments. The materials discussed include texts, visual art, architecture and material culture. The author deals with issues that have been raised in the emerging field of performance archaeology as well as seeking to initiate a discussion on performance in Egyptology and related disciplines.

Excavations in the town of Elephantine between 1972 and 1991 uncovered more than 1600 clay seals, cylinder seals and various other sealing materials, forming one of the largest and most important seal assemblages from an urban Early Dynastic and early Old Kingdom site. At the heart of this substantial study is a catalogue of types, inscriptions and names, supported by an analysis of royal administration on the island of Elephantine, its social organisation and its professions. German text, English summary.

Combining archaeological and environmental evidence with iconographic analysis, this study examines the place of the dog in pre-Pharaonic Egypt. After a discussion of the types of fox, jackal and hyena that would have inhabited Palaeolithic and prehistoric Egypt, Gransard-Desmond discusses the domestication of the dog, the development of different types, the history of the relationship between man and dog, the different uses made of dogs and their role in religion. In addition to seals, decorated tablets, figurines and paintings, the inclusion of dog figures in burial assemblages hints at their special place in early Egyptian society. Includes a catalogue of objects and sites. French text.

A narrative history of the cavalcade of archaeologists, charlatans, thieves, self-promoters, and sightseers who have flocked to the Nile Valley since early times to study - or steal - the wonders of ancient Egypt. The scandalous rape of Ancient Egypt is a historical vignette of greed, vanity, and dedicated archaeological research. It is a tale vividly told by renowned archaeology author, Brian Fagan, with characters that include the ancient historian Herodotus; Theban tomb robbers; obelisk-stealing Romans; Coptic Christians determined to erase the heretical past; mummy traders; leisured antiquarians; major European museums; Giovanni Belzoni, a circus strongman who removed more antiquities than Napoleon's armies; shrewd consuls and ruthless pashas; and archaeologists such Sir Flinders Petrie who changed the course of Egyptology. Fagan's classic account of the cavalcade of archaeologists, thieves, and sightseers who have flocked to the Nile Valley since ancient times. Featured in this edition are new accounts of stunning recent discoveries, including the Royal Tombs of Tanis, the Valley of Golden Mummies at Bahariya, the Tomb of the Sons of Ramses, and the sunken city of Alexandria (whose lighthouse was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World). Fagan concludes with a clear-eyed assessment of the impact of modern mass tourism on archaeological sites and artifacts.

This detailed examination of the architecture of the tombs of Egyptian officials during the 18th Dynasty is based on a catalogue of Theban tombs. Making geographical and chronological comparisons, Wasmuth discusses evidence for architectural innovations, particularly in the extremely elaborate layout of chambers and passages. The study is illustrated throughout with tomb plans while the catalogue includes details of inscriptions and epithets as well as descriptions of the tomb design. German text.

Filling a gap in classroom texts, more than 60 essays by major scholars in the field have been gathered to create the most up-to-date and complete book available on Levantine and Near Eastern archaeology.