Egypt: How A Lost Civilisation Was Rediscovered

For nearly two thousand years after the last pharaoh ruled Egypt the wonders of this ancient culture remained hidden, seemingly lost and forgotten for ever. Then, in the late eighteenth century, Napoleon s invasion of the country sparked an explosion of interest in ancient Egypt that burns as strongly today as ever. The obsession with anything and everything Egyptian has inspired many to dedicate their lives to the search for treasure in Egypt s sands. All of these explorers, collectors and archaeologists can be loosely classified as Egyptologists and this relatively new science has been blessed with more than her fair share of intriguing characters, some of whom, by virtue of their larger-than-life personalities, their curious habits or spectacular finds, have come to dominate the story of the rediscovery of ancient Egypt. Together their work combines to become the story of the discovery of ancient Egypt - the story of this book. In Discovering Egypt, highly respected author and archaeologist (?) Joyce Tyldesley follows these real-life Indiana Joneses in their quest for the splendid monuments, tombs and artefacts that have unlocked many of the secrets of this mesmerizing civilization. From the nail-biting race to crack the hieroglyphic code to Howard Carter s dramatic discovery of the golden treasures lying deep in the burial chamber of the boy king Tutankhamen - surely the most heart-stopping moment in the history of archaeology - we experience the excitement, emotion and intrigue of this most gripping story. Praise for Joyce Tyldesley: Tyldesley has added a new, more human dimension her book should be required reading. Sunday Times on Ramses: Egypt s Greatest Pharaoh