EGYPTIANS: A Pitkin Guide to Ancient Civilisations

The Egyptians created a civilisation that flourished for almost 3,000 years and visitors have marvelled at the majestic ruins of their temples, pyramids, colossal statues of long-dead rulers, and their empty tombs in the Valley of the Kings. What remains is magnificently tantalising with an aura of mystery and magic. The tomb of Tutankhamun gave us a glimpse of the splendours that surrounded an Egyptian pharaoh and other finds show everyday life - a world of bread and beer, gods and gardens, wrestling and singing, prayers and pyramids. Our slim 24 page Pitkin guide has glossy white paper and dozens of colour photographs and begins with key dates in Egyptian history, beautiful pictures of the River Nile, wall paintings, colour photographs such as the glass fish found buried beneath the floor of a house at Amarna, colourful tomb paintings, wall paintings showing workers hauling stones with ropes, the Battle of the Pyramids 1798 won by Napoleon, beautiful close up pictures of colourful jewellery, gold-finished leather sandals, an ivory headdress, weapons, obelisks and drawings of exotic animals and of course the Rosetta Stone which unlocked the door to the secret world of Egyptian hieroglyphs. 28 page large softback.