Searching for the Lost Tombs of Egypt

Description

Where are the tombs of Alexander the Great or Cleopatra? Both rulers were buried in Egypt, but their tombs have never been found despite years of intensive research and excavation. Yet we have tantalizing clues. Searching for the Lost Tombs of Egypt describes the quest for these and other great 'missing' tombs - those we know existed, but which have not yet been identified. It also discusses key moments of discovery that have yielded astonishing finds and created the archetypal image of the archaeologist poised at the threshold of a tomb left untouched for millennia. In this gripping account, Chris Naunton explains the mysteries of the missing tombs and presents all the evidence, skilfully unravelling the tangled threads surrounding the burials of the heretic pharaoh Akhenaten and his son Tutankhamun, and the burial place of Imhotep, architect of the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, among others. Could other such tombs lie undiscovered in the Valley of the Kings? In fact, the Valley almost certainly does guard hidden treasures. Amazing finds of unsuspected tombs continue to occur there and elsewhere in Egypt, making headlines worldwide - all are covered in this book. As well as immersing the reader, step by step, in the action of the search and the thrill of discovery, the book also explores the reasons why tombs remain such a central part of both the popular perception of Egyptology and the continuing allure of ancient Egypt.

Dr Chris Naunton is an Egyptologist, writer and broadcaster. He has published a number of articles and books on the history of Egyptology, most recently Searching for the Lost Tombs of Egypt (Thames & Hudson, 2018), and presented many related television documentaries, including Tut's Treasures - Hidden Secrets (Channel 5, 2018, National Geographic/Disney+), Egypt's Lost Pyramid (Channel 4, 2019) and King Tut's Last Mission (Channel 5, 2020). He worked for many years at the Egypt Exploration Society, London, acting as its director between 2012 and 2016. From 2015 to 2019 he was President of the International Association of Egyptologists and in 2016 he became director of the Robert Anderson Trust, a charity that provides support for young scholars visiting London to further their studies and research.

'An absolutely essential book for those of us captivated by ancient Egypt's enduring stories, and the modern quest to uncover its remaining secrets. Chris Naunton brilliantly walks the line between scholar and storyteller, balancing his deep knowledge with that tantalizing call to adventure which will keep you spellbound' - Dallas Campbell, broadcaster and author 'Highly readable ... there is much to recommend here' - BBC History Magazine 'As well as immersing us in the action of the search and the thrill of discovery, this book also explains why tombs remain such a central part of both the popular perception of Egyptology and the continuing allure of ancient Egypt' - Timeless Travels 'A joyous book that has at its heart a love for ancient Egyptian history and a desire to share that with people ... Naunton balances between popular narratives and current research to provide a thoroughly enjoyable book' - Journal of History and Cultures