Nicholas Reeves
Thames & Hudson Ltd, London
ISBN 0-500-05105-4
2000
This book is by the well known Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves and I must say right off the start I like this book for its chronological order of discoveries which I found very informative and innovative usually the discoveries are listed by period as opposed to date of discovery.
Sadly many of the great discoveries occurred early in the 19th century and as a result their context and any objects that were not considered of value were lost or discarded. The discoveries of course are subject to the authors opinion but Mr. Reeves has made good choices.
Many of the objects in question are famous finds but the author in many cases still has interesting details that are uncommon or never repeated. The book appears to be flawless in its facts and amply filled with numerous pictures and schematics to help the reader understand what the author is describing.
As often happens the discovery is at least if not more interesting than the discoveries themselves though I did miss exceptional finds like the beautiful fifth dynasty mummy of Nefer/Watay found at Saqqara and missing from this list as well the Dendera zodiac, the bust of Ankhaf and many other masterpieces.
As I have said there are many choices that could be used however I would doubt that too many authors could do them with the justice and interest imbued in the great discoveries that Nicholas Reeves has done in this publication.
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