Not available to order
Publication date:
19 February 2015Length of book:
220 pagesPublisher
Rowman & Littlefield PublishersISBN-13: 9780759124028
The Archaeology Hotspots series offers reader-friendly and engaging narratives of the archaeology in particular countries. Written by archaeological experts with a general reader in mind, each book in the series focuses on what has been found and by whom, what the controversies and scandals have been, ongoing projects, and how it all fits into a broader view of the history of the country.
In Archaeology Hotspot Egypt, scholar Julian Heath provides a chronological overview beginning with handaxes left by Homo erectus during the Lower Paleolithic and moving onwards through pharaonic Egypt to finish in the Greco-Roman period. He covers the most interesting finds—including Tutankhamen’s tomb and the Rosetta Stone—and profiles major personalities, past and present. Current digs and recent insights on the past are also covered, such as the massive tomb of KV5 and how contemporary scientific techniques are unearthing new information about ancient Egyptian people and animals. The result is an illuminating look at the history, culture, national heritage, and current archaeological news of Egypt—a hotspot of archaeology.
In Archaeology Hotspot Egypt, scholar Julian Heath provides a chronological overview beginning with handaxes left by Homo erectus during the Lower Paleolithic and moving onwards through pharaonic Egypt to finish in the Greco-Roman period. He covers the most interesting finds—including Tutankhamen’s tomb and the Rosetta Stone—and profiles major personalities, past and present. Current digs and recent insights on the past are also covered, such as the massive tomb of KV5 and how contemporary scientific techniques are unearthing new information about ancient Egyptian people and animals. The result is an illuminating look at the history, culture, national heritage, and current archaeological news of Egypt—a hotspot of archaeology.
I just finished the first book in a new series, Archaeology Hotspot Egypt by Julian Heath. The book's subtitle, Unearthing the Past for Armchair Archaeologists describe its target audience and, although the author has an MA in archaeology from the University of Liverpool, the book is relatively free of technical jargon and quite readable. Heath begins by describing each period of Egypt's past then delves more deeply into archaeological activities within each period. I was particularly pleased to note that Heath gives attention to the often overlooked pre-dynastic period as well as the more widely studied Old, Middle and New Kingdoms and their associated Intermediate Periods. I was especially interested in his discussion of the Naqada Period because, not only were many of the traditions of Egypt in their embryonic stage then, but I had the opportunity to photograph Naqada pottery and unusual figurines at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum. . . . [T]he reader comes away with not only a good foundation in the historical periods of Egypt and significant explorations that have revealed the development of its culture but an excellent overview of current research, including technological advances in satellite imagery, ground penetrating radar and digital analyses. It even touches on the current political and economic issues surrounding the illegal antiquities trade. Perhaps among the most valuable inclusions in the book were the concluding passages listing museums with the largest collections of Egyptian antiquities (I didn't realize the Museum of Fine Arts Boston was among them so I have added it to my must see list!) and websites where visitors can not only view images of recovered artifacts but browse maps, plans and satellite imagery of archaeological sites and even journals kept by famous archaeologists. Heath even suggests ways to get involved with current digs. There are also extensive footnotes listed by chapter and a lengthy bibliography - a virtual handbook for any Egyptian history enthusiast. I look forward with anticipation to the next book in this series!