Archaeology Hotspot Egypt

December 1, 2014
In this first volume of a series offering accessible accounts of the history of archaeology, author and illustrator Heath (Before Farming) introduces the field of Egyptology, its major players, and their discoveries. In a speedy report on Egyptian history, Heath takes readers from Egypt’s hunter-gather beginnings to the building of the pyramids, the rule of Ramses II, and its incorporation into the Roman Empire. Significant artifacts include the exceptionally well-preserved Gebelein mummy, the Nefertiti bust, and the vast array of gilded objects found in Tutankhamen’s tomb. Nearly a century of evidence is used to consider Tutankhamen’s cause of death, with possibilities including malaria, murder, and “death by hippo” in a hunting accident. Heath goes on to note the accomplishments of Jean-Francois Champollion, the first to decipher the hieroglyphic alphabet; Giovanni Battista Belzoni, the circus performer-turned-archaeologist who discovered the tombs of Ramses I and Seti I; and Flinders Petrie’s method of sequence dating, still used today. Heath also celebrates recent developments, such as Sarah Parcak’s innovative use of satellites to survey sites remotely, and the current work being done by the British Museum at Naukratis and Amara West. Heath’s enthusiasm and brevity make this a solid introduction, and his epilogue provides plenty of resources for further study.