The Royal Mummies: Immortality in Ancient Egypt

by Francis Janot, Zahi Hawass (Introduction)

Since the major archaeological excavations of the ninteenth century, we have been fascinated by the mummies of ancient Egypt. Written in an authoritative yet accessible tone, this essential resource provides an information-packed overview of royal mummies. The text describes the ancient Egyptians’ belief in the afterlife and how mummification ensured their bodies were preserved for eternity. Revealing the secrets of the embalming room, the meaning of the amulets found with mummies, and the ornate splendor of the mummies themselves, this volume explores all facets of a practice that lasted for more than 3,000 years, starting around 2,500 B.C. Spotlighting such renowned examples of well-preserved mummies as Tutankhamen, Seti I and Ramses the Great, 200 color photographs depict the ornate sarcophagi, hieroglyphics, and amulets that add to the mystique of the mummy. With a foreword by Zahi Hawass, widely recognized as the world’s foremost Egyptologist, this volume is required reading for students of archaeology and anyone intrigued by the history of ancient Egypt.

Genres: Egypt, Nonfiction

366 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Martina T · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Agickou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krásná kniha popisující mumifikaci, královské mumie a vše spojené s posmrtným životem starověkého Egypta.

[Russell Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best and most comprehensive books on Egyptian Mummies and the different aspects which surround them. Since the press proliferated the curse of the mummy, these travelers from earlier times have been misunderstood and feared. This book does much to look at how they were made, why mummies were made, and what the Egyptians themselves expected to encounter in the afterlife for which they needed the mummies in the first place.
The sheer size of the book is a bit daunting. I could not carry this book with me wherever I went, but as a teacher this book would be large enough to show classrooms some of the things they ask about, such as what a mummy looked like. I especially liked the comparisons of the royal mummies with sculpture showing the mummified person in their lifetime, at least according to Egyptian standards of portraiture.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essentially, this is a great big picture book of Mummies, something I have always been fascinated with. I bought this as a Christmas present to myself after seeing the most recent exhibit on Tomb 10A at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. It does explain the concept of life after death as the Ancient Egyptians saw it, and places mummification within that context. I plowed right through it; just couldn't put it down.