Synopses & Reviews
The pyramids at Gizeh and the tomb of Tutankhamun are two spectacular examples of the legendary energy that the Ancient Egyptians devoted to their tombs. Contrary to popular belief, this energy was not confined to the highest classes of society. This is the first book to use the tens of thousands of tombs excavated across Egypt to build up a broad picture of burial as practiced throughout society over the millennia, from 5000 BC to AD 200. In the course of his investigation Wolfram Grajetski removes some popular misconceptions. Many imagine that there are few undisturbed tombs, but this is not the case. In addition to the richest finds, there are numerous other tombs which, lacking gold, never caught the attention of ancient robbers or, till now, that of modern readers. Many also argue that we can only know the richer classes in ancient society because the burials of ordinary farmers or poor people do not survive. As this book shows, this is not true of Ancient Egypt, where such graves are key sources for reconstructing burial customs and Egyptian culture as a whole.
Synopsis
Explores the burial evidence of Ancient Egypt and how it reflects the life of rich and poor.
Synopsis
The energy devoted by the ancient Egyptians to their tombs is legendary. The pyramids of Gizeh and the tomb of Tutankhamun are just two very spectacular examples. Using the tens of thousands of tombs excavated in Egypt, dating from 5000 BC to AD 200, this book builds up a picture of burial as practised across the millennia.
About the Author
Wolfram Grajetzki is a researcher at the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, University College London, working on the project 'Digital Egypt for Universities'. He is the author of 'Two Treasurers of the Middle Kingdom' (British Archaeological Report S1007) Oxford 2001.