Life of the Ancient Egyptians

This illustrated book conveys the wonder of Ancient Egypt through the daily activities of its people - not the lives of Egypt’s royalty or elite classes, but the typical men and women who composed this magnificent civilisation. Exceptional for its range, the volume portrays Egyptian life from birth and childhood through education, love and marriage, occupations, war, and finally the soul’s journey to the netherworld. A particular strength is the coverage of anatomical material and medical texts. Other topics include the role of women, fashion, dance and music, agriculture, crafts, and construction of the pyramids and tombs. This in-depth portrait draws on the complete spectrum of sources: artifacts from tombs and settlement sites; inscribed potsherds and ostraca as well as papyri; material from the excavation of homes, shrines and tomb-chapels, reliefs and wall-paintings. Accompanying the text, 290 illustrations - including 200 colour plates - vividly portray Egyptian civilisation through its creations and treasures. The thematic structure of the book imparts a visual coherence rarely found in illustrated works on Ancient Egypt. Among the photographs are many rare images not previously available. The illustrations convey a picture of Ancient Egyptian society that is immediate, despite the millenia that separate us from that great culture. The guide should appeal to the serious student or scholar, as well as anyone interested in ancient civilisations.