- Hardcover: 169 pages
- Publisher: Channel 4 (Nov 17 2000)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0752219030
- ISBN-13: 978-0752219035
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.4 x 2.6 cm
- Shipping Weight: 381 g
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Product Details |
Product Description
Review
A very concise, informative addition to the discipline of Egyptology that will be welcomed by both professional and amateur alike. Tyldesley skilfully condenses the presently understood history of the Pharaohs into a fluent narrative which relies on scientific evaluation and discoveries. She goes further to describe the lives of the pyramid and mausoleum construction workers and their families with material gleaned from the same sources. The logic of engineering techniques are placed within a believable, logical context together with the social complexities involved in employing thousands of workers. The reader is taken from these vast building sites to an appreciation of the terrible damage and theft to their fabric, the deceased and their possessions. This has occurred on the grand scale over several millennia and is still prevalent. No doubt pharaohs were responsible for saving their mummified ancestors from grave robbers by moving them en masse to safer sites, but this sits uneasily with recycling their valuables, the grave goods necessary for their comfort. It indicates a cynicism at odds with their professed religious beliefs. Tyldesley makes no comment on this but describing the scientific analysis of Asru, a Temple chantress of the Middle Period, remarks on the idealized illustrations of a pristine, beautiful life on tomb walls in comparison with the evidence of excruciating diseases and parasites found in the vocalist's mummified remains. It is clear what litte we know of the ancient Egyptians is less than half the story. The exquisite photographic plates included are a joy and the text a very superior accompaniment to the television production. (Kirkus UK)
Product Description
How were the pyramids built? What were two unborn children doing in Tutankhamen's tomb? What was the blue lotus depicted in many tombs - a drug, a perfume? Accompanying a Channel 4 documentary series, this volume shows how scientific techniques can be used to answer questions about the pharaohs.
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Customer Reviews
|
There are no customer reviews yet on Amazon Canada
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding, Mar 30 2008
By A.D. Boswell "Andy" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Private Lives Of The Pharaohs (Hardcover)
Egyptian civilization, preserved for two thousand years, left a mysterious legacy in the form of human remains, monumental buildings, inscrutable writings, and elaborate tombs. But until recently, Egyptian mummies were considered to be little more than curiosities. Much of our understanding of Egyptian civilization has been gleaned from nineteenth century tomb robbers and twentieth century filmmakers. Private Lives of the Pharaohs highlights the exciting new developments in medical science that are allowing Egyptologists to extract information from mummified Egyptians.
Recent scientific advances, including DNA analysis, endoscopy, and CAT scans, are allowing Egyptologists to bring Egypt's dead "back to life." The once-hidden evidence extracted from their bones, hair, and rehydrated skin is unlocking the mysteries of the pyramids, showing us the secrets of Tutankahamen's court, and revealing the use of recreational drugs in the royal household. The result is a breathtaking new look at the Pharaohs and their monumental civilization. Renowned Egyptologist Joyce Tyldesley describes the major secrets that forensic scientists have been able to retrieve from Egypt's famed mummies.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review of Tyldesley's 'Private Lives', Dec 11 2010
By Ryan S. Mease "scott.godwin" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Private Lives of the Pharaohs (Paperback)
I understand why this book is no longer in print--it was attached to a television program. However, I'd like to argue that this work could flourish as a stand alone introduction to recent developments in archaeology. Tyldesley offers a mixture of basic history and recent developments in archaeology that work to reexamine traditional accounts. The movement through three different case studies is especially effective. It allows for a sense of focus on particular historical landscapes as Tyldesley introduces new information to modify these landscapes.
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Entertainment > Television
- Books > History > Africa > Egypt
- Books > History > Ancient > Africa
- Books > History > Middle East > Egypt
- Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Archaeology
- Books > Science > Archaeology
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
