Il celebre archeologo Zahi Hawass è una delle maggiori autorità mondiali sulle piramidi di Giza. Ha trascorso la sua vita a scavare attorno alle piramidi e alla Sfinge. Ha fatto importanti scoperte come le tombe dei costruttori delle piramidi e le porte segrete all'interno della piramide di Cheope. Ha ricevuto cinque dottorati honoris causa da diverse università internazionali ed è stato nominato dalla rivista Time come una delle 100 persone più influenti nell'anno 2006. Le sue avventure intorno alle piramidi sono state presentate in molti shows televisivi. In questo libro si sentono le emozioni e le avventure di questo moderno Indiana Jones.

Il celebre archeologo Zahi Hawass è una delle maggiori autorità mondiali sulle piramidi di Giza. Ha trascorso la sua vita a scavare attorno alle piramidi e alla Sfinge. Ha fatto importanti scoperte come le tombe dei costruttori delle piramidi e le porte segrete all'interno della piramide di Cheope. Ha ricevuto cinque dottorati honoris causa da diverse università internazionali ed è stato nominato dalla rivista Time come una delle 100 persone più influenti nell'anno 2006. Le sue avventure intorno alle piramidi sono state presentate in molti shows televisivi. In questo libro si sentono le emozioni e le avventure di questo moderno Indiana Jones.

Penned by a scholar who was personally involved in research into the enigmatic young pharaoh, this comprehensive and fully illustrated new study reviews the current state of our knowledge about the life, death, and burial of Tutankhamun in light of the latest investigations and newest technology. Zahi Hawass places the king in the broader context of Egyptian history, unraveling the intricate and much debated relationship between various members of the royal family, and the circumstances surrounding the turbulent Amarna period. He also succinctly explains the religious background and complex beliefs in the afterlife that defined and informed many features of Tutankhamun's tomb. The history of the exploration of the Valley of the Kings is discussed, as well as the background and mutual relationships of the main protagonists.
The tomb and the most important finds are described and illustrated, and the modern X-raying and CT-scanning of the king's mummy are presented in detail. The description of the latest DNA examination of the mummies of Tutankhamun and members of his family is one of the most absorbing parts of the book and demonstrates that scientific methods may produce results that cannot be paralleled by traditional Egyptology.

'This is a work by a man who passionately loves Egypt's past and is not afraid of controversy. There is nothing like reading a book that contains first-hand recollections and impressions, bringing to life an exacting academic topic. Dr Hawass does this in masterly fashion.'-from the Foreword by Jaromir Malek

One of the highlights of a visit to the temple of Horus at Edfu, halfway between Luxor and Aswan in Upper Egypt, is the famed Sound & Light Show, a spectacular show of music, historical narration , and lights and images played on the ancient temple facade and inside the columned courtyards and hallways.

This new, full-color presentation serves as the ideal record -- or fortaste -- of the Edfu Sound & Light Experience, with historical introduction to the area and the temple by internationally renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, and the complete script of the show, accompanied by over 60 beautiful photographs of the light show and of the Horus Temple and surrounding sites.

From a boat ritual of King Mentuhotep Nebhepetra to miniature royal sarcophagi from South Abydos.

A history of ancient Egypt through the exhibits of the Egyptian Museum.

These scholarly essays by leading Egyptian Egyptologists discuss the building and contents of the Egyptian Museum, the origins and evolution of the Egyptian language and writing system, the glory days of Egypt's various periods, kingdoms, and pharaohs, and the important archaeological discoveries under the water of Abu Qir Bay.

One of the foremost experts on Old Kingdom tombs looks at the burial chamber, its significance, and its preparation, concluding that the 'house of death is for life.' The Egyptian tomb was not considered simply as a grave for burying the corpse of a dead person, but rather as a house of eternity in which the deceased would spend an everlasting life. The author also discusses the architectural designs and characteristics of burial chambers associated with the mastabas and rock-cut tombs, and studies the development of decoration on the walls of tombs.

The ideal souvenir or gift from a visit to the great storehouse of antiquity.

Cairo's Egyptian Museum, one of the greatest storehouses of ancient art and artifacts in the world, is at the top of the agenda for millions of visitors to Egypt every year. People come to see the fabulous gold treasures of King Tutankhamun, the monumental royal statuary, the elaborately painted coffins and funerary masks, the model houses, ships, and armies, the tools, furnishings, and games of everyday life, and all the other paraphernalia of three thousand years of ancient Egyptian civilization.

But what to take home from all this? How to remember the highlights of a visit to such a wonderful house of treasure? Here in this light and compact book, Egyptologist extraordinaire Zahi Hawass has collected the very gems of the Museum, illustrated in full color and succinctly described-more than thirty significant objects that stand out in the memory, making the perfect souvenir of one of the world's truly great museums.

The world's best known Egyptologist uncovers the stories behind his many excavations.

Zahi Hawass, familiar to millions from his many television appearances, provides stirring descriptions of his life's work accompanied by many previously unpublished photographs. He takes us from the famous monuments at Giza, where he supervised the restoration of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid and excavated the cemetery of the pyramid builders, to the Valley of the Golden Mummies in Bahariya Oasis.

A storyteller par excellence, Dr. Hawass speculates about life in ancient Egypt based on a scientific analysis of excavations conducted by himself or under his supervision. He also spins tales of tomb robbers, explains how he negotiates with local Egyptians whose houses may lie directly above important sites, and describes in exciting detail the experience of entering an ancient tomb for the first time after thousands of years.

Beautiful, mysterious, and tragic, Cleopatra remains one of the most mesmerizing women of all time—and here is her story, based on the latest archaeological research. Secrets unfold in the official companion book to the new exhibition cosponsored by National Geographic, opening in Philadelphia in May 2010 and touring the United States for several years. Written by the inimitable Zahi Hawass in collaboration with underwater archaeologist Franck Goddio, this richly illustrated book chronicles the life of Cleopatra and the centuries-long quest to learn more about the queen and her tumultuous era, the last pharaonic period of Egyptian history. For the crowds nationwide who will visit the blockbuster exhibit—as well as the huge readership for popular illustrated histories such as this—Cleopatra and the Lost Treasures of Egypt holds rare glimpses and stunning revelations from the life of a star-crossed queen.

Eminent Egyptologist Hawass is Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities and in this role has taken on important changes to the Egyptian Museum, Cairo; in 2002, he organized a large centennial celebration for this important museum. Here he describes the history of the museum and what visitors will encounter when they visit, and he points out that while most other museums that house antiquities are converted villas, the Egyptian Museum was specially constructed for its purpose. For this catalog he has selected 202 of his favorite items. They are showcased with briefly captioned gorgeous photos (most full-page) that bring the pieces close to the reader's eye. The format is oversize format: 9x12'. Distribution in the US is by International Publishers Marketing (IPM). Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

In what has to be one of the most remarkable bargains in books about Egyptian archaeology and history, Egypt's Supreme Council on Antiquities has issued two volumes of essays in honor of the late British Egyptologist, Barry J. Kemp. Topics range from date stones to insects, from footwear to flour production, and from unfinished obelisks to the use of Google Earth to identify ancient sites. Generously illustrated with photos, site maps, and diagrams, these volumes are a treasure trove of information for students and professionals in Egyptology and archaeology. Their exceedingly low price and high quality make them an attractive acquisition for libraries. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Veteran Egyptologists Kanawati and Woods help dispel the convention that ancient Egyptian artists worked as anonymous members of workshops and showed no individual creativity in their work. Leaving statuary and relief to other volumes or perhaps other scholars, they focus on art as it appears in wall scenes, and on the position of the artist in the Old Kingdom. They cover artists in the Old Kingdom; principles, materials, and techniques; selected Old Kingdom tombs; and commentary on the selected wall scenes. However accurate, they say, neither photographs nor line drawings can capture the skill and artistry of the paintings; still they include 260 photographs and many drawings throughout the text. There is no index. Distributed in the U.S. by International Publishers Marketing (IPM). Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Based on the author's excavations, new analyses of older evidence, and legal and other texts written by men from the period, this volume investigates the role of women in ancient Egyptian society. Hawass describes how women were legally equal, less active that men in the public sphere, and played a key role in the family. He provides historical context, and discusses queens and other royals; palaces and harems; aspects of women's lives relating to love and marriage, motherhood and childrearing, dress and adornments, work, religion, death and the afterlife; representations of them in art; and findings about the women in the workmen's community at Gaza, with many color photos of artifacts. The book was written to present to the delegates of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women. Hawass is the secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities. Distributed in the US by International Publishers Marketing (IPM). Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Mysterious boy king Tutankhamun returns to the U.S. in 2008, bringing rare treasures never before seen outside Egypt. For the millions of fans wanting a keepsake and chronicle of this magnificent new exhibition, this book will delight. Created by world-renowned art historians under the guidance of Zahi Hawass?director of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities and a well-known media personality?it surveys 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian history by focusing on the lives and lifestyles of great pharaohs. Master photographer Sandro Vannini spotlights every dazzling artifact, using an innovative technique that makes the image jump off the page. The book's design echoes the exhibition, grouping objects representing family life, religious practices, funerary rituals, and gold. In each artifact?a queen's eye makeup container, a likeness of a princess eating duck, a sarcophagus made for a prince's cat?we glimpse the life of ancient Egyptian royalty: exotic and fascinating, yet so human. Gold gleams in a leopard-mask of gilded wood, a brilliant pendant bearing tiny goddesses, even the golden finger and toe covers of Tutankhamun himself, meant to protect his extremities in the afterlife. Featuring more than 120 treasures, a dozen evocative landscape and archaeology photos, and illuminating text, this book makes palpable the excitement, riches, and mysteries of ancient Egypt. It will be prominently displayed in all exhibition venues, and its contents will interest visitors to the show as well as Tut enthusiasts across the country.

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 - the most exciting the world has ever known. Images by pioneering photographer Sandro Vannini offer distinctive views, never seen before, of almost 200 of the spectacular artifacts found at the burial site.
King Tutankhamun: The Treasures of the Tomb uses carefully selected objects to illustrate the entire ten years of painstaking excavation and documentation carried out by Howard 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, including all of the objects in both current traveling Tutankhamun exhibitions.
An experienced field archaeologist who has made many important discoveries himself, Dr. Hawass imbues the text with his own unique voice, imagining how the exploration of the tomb must have felt for Carter and providing invaluable information about the objects themselves. The superb photography of Sandro Vannini adds an extra dimension to this lavishly illustrated volume, showing the objects from the tomb as they have never been seen before, in stunning full-color spreads and foldouts throughout the book.

Subtitled, }The Art Of Thebes Revealed{. Beautifully illustrated in colour throughout, this volume allows the reader to join the pharaohs of the New Kingdom on their journey to immortality.

Tutankhamun has mesmerized the world ever since Howard Carter's dramatic discovery of his treasure-filled tomb in the Valley of the Kings in 1922, a fascination fanned anew by the current world tour of the spectacular artifacts buried with him, a priceless trove that casts a spell on everyone who sees them.

In this richly illustrated book, Egypt's leading archaeologist chronicles the Boy King and the royal dynasty that bred him. And what a dynasty! Tut's grandfather, the Sun King Amenhotep III, married queen Tiye before they reached their teens, then ruled for 40 years. Their heretical son, Akhenaten, abandoned Egypt's pantheon to worship a single god; his wife Nefertiti is still remembered as one of history's legendary beauties. Tutankhamun ascended the throne as a child and died before the age of twenty, but the splendor of his brief reign and the sensational unearthing of his tomb have made him the most famous of all the pharaohs.

Zahi Hawass brings these fabled figures and their tumultuous, astonishing age to life, with an authoritative text highlighted by scores of stunning photographs, including archival images from the first great era of Egyptian archaeology, when Carter and other Westerners reawakened the world to the golden glory of the ancient civilization explored in this dazzling book.

The discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun- the most spectacular royal tomb ever found- is one of the most famous events in the history of archaeology. The treasures of this tomb surpass all others, and the fifty Tutankhamun artifacts featured in this book illustrate many uses of gold and other precious materials in ancient Egypt, giving us a glimpse into the extraordinary richness of this ancient civilization. The book also includes never-before-seen images of the full-body forensic recreation of the boy king. How did Tut really look and what caused his untimely death? Cutting edge CT scan data provides tantalizing clues.In addition artifacts from the period preceding the reign of Tutankhamun will be featured, illuminating this fascinating era of Egyptian history and setting the stage for the treasures of Tut. These pieces will illustrate the history of the 18th dynasty, daily life under the golden pharaohs, and the journeys of both kings and commoners to the afterlife, and will include pieces dating to the reigns of four 18th dynasty pharaohs, the direct ancestors of Tutankhamun: Amenhotep II and Tuthmosis IV These two great warrior kings ruled in the mid-18th Dynasty, and solidified the great Egyptian empire built by their predecessors. Although their tombs had both been robbed in antiquity, many fascinating pieces were left behind by the thieves. The tomb of Amenhotep II was reused just after the end of the New Kingdom as a cache for a group of royal mummies. Amenhotep III and Akhenaten A number of pieces come from the Theban area, where the great temple of Amun stood, the site of many great discoveries, and Amarna, where Akhenaten built a new capital city. Other artifacts come from one of the rare private tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the burial of Amenhotep III's parents-in-law, Yuya and Tjuya.

Mysterious boy king Tutankhamun returns to the U.S. in 2008, bringing rare treasures never before seen outside Egypt. For the millions of fans wanting a keepsake and chronicle of this magnificent new exhibition, this book will delight. Created by world-renowned art historians under the guidance of Zahi Hawass?director of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities and a well-known media personality?it surveys 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian history by focusing on the lives and lifestyles of great pharaohs. Master photographer Sandro Vannini spotlights every dazzling artifact, using an innovative technique that makes the image jump off the page. The book's design echoes the exhibition, grouping objects representing family life, religious practices, funerary rituals, and gold. In each artifact?a queen's eye makeup container, a likeness of a princess eating duck, a sarcophagus made for a prince's cat?we glimpse the life of ancient Egyptian royalty: exotic and fascinating, yet so human. Gold gleams in a leopard-mask of gilded wood, a brilliant pendant bearing tiny goddesses, even the golden finger and toe covers of Tutankhamun himself, meant to protect his extremities in the afterlife. Featuring more than 120 treasures, a dozen evocative landscape and archaeology photos, and illuminating text, this book makes palpable the excitement, riches, and mysteries of ancient Egypt. It will be prominently displayed in all exhibition venues, and its contents will interest visitors to the show as well as Tut enthusiasts across the country.

Mysterious boy king Tutankhamun returns to the U.S. in 2008, bringing rare treasures never before seen outside Egypt. For the millions of fans wanting a keepsake and chronicle of this magnificent new exhibition, this book will delight. Created by world-renowned art historians under the guidance of Zahi Hawass?director of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities and a well-known media personality?it surveys 3,000 years of ancient Egyptian history by focusing on the lives and lifestyles of great pharaohs. Master photographer Sandro Vannini spotlights every dazzling artifact, using an innovative technique that makes the image jump off the page. The book's design echoes the exhibition, grouping objects representing family life, religious practices, funerary rituals, and gold. In each artifact?a queen's eye makeup container, a likeness of a princess eating duck, a sarcophagus made for a prince's cat?we glimpse the life of ancient Egyptian royalty: exotic and fascinating, yet so human. Gold gleams in a leopard-mask of gilded wood, a brilliant pendant bearing tiny goddesses, even the golden finger and toe covers of Tutankhamun himself, meant to protect his extremities in the afterlife. Featuring more than 120 treasures, a dozen evocative landscape and archaeology photos, and illuminating text, this book makes palpable the excitement, riches, and mysteries of ancient Egypt. It will be prominently displayed in all exhibition venues, and its contents will interest visitors to the show as well as Tut enthusiasts across the country.


From the Hardcover edition.

In this highly readable first-hand account, world-famous Egyptologist and spellbinding storyteller Dr. Zahi Hawass shares some of the many intriguing tales about the legendary 'curse of the pharaohs'-including several of his own experiences with it. Also known as the 'curse of the mummies,' this spine-tingling legend-still believed by many people-claims that anyone who disturbs the rest of the ancient Egyptian dead will be haunted or harmed by their spirits. Often blamed when things go wrong, these ancient spirits are given credit for accidents, illnesses, and even deaths.Many strange things have happened to Dr. Hawass during his years as an archaeologist in the field, and he delights in telling about them. For example: ? - He tells of the exciting discovery of beautiful statues found in the tomb of a man called Inty-shedu and of the bizarre circumstances-including an earthquake and then his own heart attack-that prevented him from publicly announcing the discovery.? - After he excavated the mummies of two small children in the Valley of the Golden Mummies and arranged to have them transferred to a museum, the children began haunting his dreams every night, following him in his travels around the world. After several months of sleepless nights, he realized that the children didn't want to be separated from another mummy-a grown man, perhaps their father-that had been buried with them. So he had that mummy moved to the museum, too, and the nightmares stopped!? - During exploration of another tomb, he was knocked unconscious by an electric shock from the frayed wire of the lamp he held. The fact that he survived these incidents seems proof to him that if there is a curse, it probably helped him. He says, 'The greatest desire of the ancient Egyptians was that their names would live forever. We as archaeologists dedicate our lives to bringing the names of the ancients back to life.? So you see, though I do excavate tombs, the spirits of the dead should be pleased with me.' Dr. Hawass also delves into the fascinating background of the curse, telling readers how it became famous all over the world after the discovery of the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun, also known as King Tut, in 1922. Shortly after the discovery of the tomb, seemingly inexplicable misfortunes began to occur, ranging from a pet canary being devoured by a cobra to the illnesses and deaths of several people involved with the excavation of the fabulous tomb. Rumors quickly spread that an ancient curse had been awakened. In a later chapter, Dr. Hawass makes clear that there are simple, natural explanations for most of the disasters linked to the curse of the pharaohs-such as ancient, infection-causing germs, for example. In another chapter, he explains that ancient Egyptians did believe in curses and magic, and he tells how they carved curse inscriptions on their tombs to warn off robbers. (It didn't work. Neither did trying to hide the tombs.) Overflowing with beautiful 4-color photographs, Curse of the Pharaohs not only explores the legendary curse but also introduces readers to the thrills and dangers of archaeology and to the fascinating world of ancient Egypt. A valuable reference tool for school reports, the book's extensive back matter includes a timeline, glossary, index, bibliography, and further reading list, as well as fun and informative sections on how mummies were made, the archaeologist's tools, and Dr. Hawass's tips for budding archaeologists.

In this highly readable first-hand account, world-famous Egyptologist and spellbinding storyteller Dr. Zahi Hawass shares some of the many intriguing tales about the legendary 'curse of the pharaohs'-including several of his own experiences with it. Also known as the 'curse of the mummies,' this spine-tingling legend-still believed by many people-claims that anyone who disturbs the rest of the ancient Egyptian dead will be haunted or harmed by their spirits. Often blamed when things go wrong, these ancient spirits are given credit for accidents, illnesses, and even deaths.Many strange things have happened to Dr. Hawass during his years as an archaeologist in the field and he delights in telling about them. For example: ? He tells of the exciting discovery of beautiful statues found in the tomb of a man called Inty-shedu and of the bizarre circumstances-including an earthquake and then his own heart attack-that prevented him from publicly announcing the discovery.? After he excavated the mummies of two small children in the Valley of the Golden Mummies and arranged to have them transferred to a museum, the children began haunting his dreams every night, following him in his travels around the world. After several months of sleepless nights, he realized that the children didn't want to be separated from another mummy-a grown man, perhaps their father-that had been buried with them. So he had that mummy moved to the museum, too, and the nightmares stopped!? During exploration of another tomb, he was knocked unconscious by an electric shock from the frayed wire of the lamp he held.The fact that he survived these incidents seems proof to him that if there is a curse, it probably helped him. He says, 'The greatest desire of the ancient Egyptians was that their names would live forever. We as archaeologists dedicate our lives to bringing the names of the ancients back to life.? So you see, though I do excavate tombs, the spirits of the dead should be pleased with me.' Dr. Hawass also delves into the fascinating background of the curse, telling readers how it became famous all over the world after the discovery of the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun, also known as King Tut, in 1922. Shortly after the discovery of the tomb, seemingly inexplicable misfortunes began to occur, ranging from a pet canary being devoured by a cobra to the illnesses and deaths of several people involved with the excavation of the fabulous tomb. Rumors quickly spread that an ancient curse had been awakened. In a later chapter, Dr. Hawass makes clear that there are simple, natural explanations for most of the disasters linked to the curse of the pharaohs-such as ancient, infection-causing germs, for example. In another chapter, he explains that ancient Egyptians did believe in curses and magic, and he tells how they carved curse inscriptions on their tombs to warn off robbers. (It didn't work. Neither did trying to hide the tombs.) Overflowing with beautiful 4-color photographs, Curse of the Pharaohs not only explores the legendary curse but also introduces readers to the thrills and dangers of archaeology and to the fascinating world of ancient Egypt. A valuable reference tool for school reports, the book's extensive back matter includes a timeline, glossary, index, bibliography, and further reading list, as well as fun and informative sections on how mummies were made, animal mummies, hieroglyphics, the archaeologist's tools, and Dr. Hawass's tips for budding archaeologists.

A world famous Egyptologist presents the stories of the fabulous ancient treasures contained within Cairo's Egyptian Museum, many of which have never been seen outside of Egypt, complete with beautiful color photographs of the masterpieces.