Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt in the late eighteenth century sparked a global fascination with ancient Egyptian culture that remains undiminished to this day. This book, written by leading author and archaeologist Joyce Tyldesley, tells the full story of the discoveries of treasures that had lain completely hidden and undisturbed for nearly two thousand years. Tyldesley follows in the footsteps of real-life Indiana Joneses in their quest for the splendid monuments, tombs, and artifacts that have unlocked many of the secrets of this mesmerizing civilization. Crafting a riveting chronicle of historical intrigue and intrepid personalities, the author relates the beginnings of Egyptology, leading the reader from the nail-biting race to crack the code of ancient hieroglyphics to the heart-stopping moment when Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamen’s burial chamber.

Egypt introduces the collectors, explorers, and archaeologists who have come to dominate the story of the rediscovery of ancient Egypt. Among these is Giovanni Belzoni, a circus strongman and diehard adventurer who uncovered many of the works of the greatest pharaoh of them all, Rameses II. Tyldesley describes the larger-than-life personalities and spectacular finds of characters such as Jean-François Champollion, Amelia Edwards, and Flinders Petrie. She delves into Howard Carter's dramatic discovery of the golden treasures lying deep in the burial chamber of the boy king Tutankhamen. Illustrated with full-color photographs, Egypt captures the excitement of these gripping adventures stories while highlighting the magnificence of the artifacts that were their object.

Copub: BBC Books

Joyce Tyldesley is Honorary Research Fellow at the School of Archaeology, Classics, and Oriental Studies at Liverpool University. She is a freelance writer and lecturer on Egyptian archaeology, has made regular radio broadcasts, and has acted as consultant on several television projects. Her previous books include Nefertiti: Egypt's Sun Queen, Ramesses: Egypt's Greatest Pharaoh, and Hatchesput: The Female Pharaoh.

"This book will not only satisfy professional Egyptologists but also attract newcomers to the field."—Kent R. Weeks, author of The Valley of the Kings: The Tombs and the Funerary of Thebes West