The Search for Ancient Egypt

by Jean Vercoutter

A gripping, action-filled account of the search for an ancient civilization introduces the colorful cast of explorers, adventurers, and archaeologists who uncovered the long-buried secrets and treasures of ancient Egypt. Original.

Genres: History, Egypt, Nonfiction, Egyptology, Archaeology, Travel, Anthropology

207 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Jean Vercoutter was a French Egyptologist. One of the pioneers of archaeological research into Sudan from 1953, he was Director of the Institut Français d'Archéologie Orientale from 1977 to 1981.

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic little starter book for those with an interest in the history of Egypt and how it was brought to light little by little of the last few centuries. Clearly written and easy to follow, this book covers all the main people and discovers in the Land of the Pharaohs and the impacts of these discoveries.

[Linniegayl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this short book, on the history of the discoveries of ancient Egypt. The book takes us from early visitors to Egypt (the Greeks and Romans) up to excavations in the mid-1980s. Along the way we encounter all of the major archaeologists (Carter, Reisner, Petrie, etc.) as well as numerous historical figures (with a lot of time spent on Napoleon's journey to Egypt). In addition to a lot of information, the book is filled with gorgeous illustrations and photographs.

I would give this an A-, so five stars here.

[Obed M. Parlapiano · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book explaining the history of the "search for ancient Egypt". The title is on point.

The book has some gorgeous pictures, paintings, and drawings made by the researchers and adventurers, it really helps to draw you in and give you a sense of urgency and importance.

The book makes a big emphasis on how ancient Egypt was virtually forgotten for hundreds of years, just to be re-discovered in the 18th and 19th century by a few Europeans who through their writings fired up the public imagination and draw massive attention to Egypt, beginning the search for the ancient country's monuments and history once again.

Beautiful story, I have to say I'd like to visit Egypt just because of this book.

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVEREED THE BOOK. I wish that this book where able to be bought new somewhere. I’m so sad to have to say goodbye to it. Loved it. Wish it where mine. 😭😭😭😭😭 (Dec 18,2021)

Edit* it’s now (April 27) 2025 and it’s still one of my favorite books. I have sadly decided not to pursue Egyptology but my love for it still stands strong and my dream has and will continue to be to visit some of these historic locations sometime in my life. And just in case you were wondering, I was able to convince my middle school librarian to let me buy the copy of the book from the school back in 2021.

[Bogdan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cartea lui Vercoutter ne prezintă interesul pentru Egipt al mai multor generaţii de oameni, începând din cele mai vechi timpuri şi terminând cu ultimele descoperiri arheologice. Numeroasele picturi, gravuri, fotografii şi ilustraţii sunt o adevărată plăcere pentru cititorul care va descoperi în paginile mini-enciclopediei o adevărată pasiune pentru acest tărâm, probabil cel mai vestit din istorie.

[elodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Franchement je cherchais un livre qui parcourait de façon assez simple mais quand même appronfondie l’Egypte et l’Egyptologie et celui-ci est franchement super! J’ai appris pleins de choses et de façon détaillé avec les personnages principaux qui ont permis la découverte/ redécouverte de cette magnifique Égypte.
J’ai trouvé qu’ils se sont plus centrés sur le côté archéologique plus que sur l’histoire des pharaons ect mais c’était le but de ce livre. J’ai plus qu’à me trouver un livre sur l’histoire de l’Égypte et les dieux. J’allais oublier de citer les photos, aquarelles et œuvres d’art choisies qui sont magnifique et d’une très grande qualité et efficacité.
Mais franchement je recommande grandement ce livre à ceux qui veulent commencer avec l’Égypte comme approfondir certains points.

[Katka Olajcová · Rating 4 out of 5]

Táto útla knižôčka, plná krásnych farebných fotografií a ilustrácia, nás sprevádza dejinami objavovania Egypta a vzniku egyptológie. Predstavuje rôznych objaviteľov, vedcov a egyptológov, ktorým krajina na Níle učarovala. Odhaľuje nám aj temné zákutia rodiacej sa novej vedy - "krádeže" artefaktov či už domácimi obyvateľmi alebo zahraničnými a kšeftárstvo s nimi.
Je to veľmi poučné a zaujímavé čítanie.

[Jim Collett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read, though strangely arranged. I enjoyed all the illustrations, old drawings and painting and photographs.

[Shaelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short and informative book about the history of archeology and discoveries in ancient Egypt. It is a bit dated, but an interesting read overall.

[Elle Hartford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly I picked it up expecting a single dry narrative, but it's more like an encyclopedia with many pictures and different topics with subheadings. It was very accessible and interesting!

[Thomas Greiner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a good overview of the major figures over the past few centuries, who have contributed to our knowledge of ancient Egypt. Vercoutter is only concerned with the details of their life and their major work, which shed light on the monumental discoveries. Unfortunately, he is too focused on the European contributions and does not include any American scholars. For that matter, he also disregarded the work of Arab scholars before Napoleon, which is a pity. Nevertheless, the 'documents' section in the end of the book takes a closer at some of the major discoveries. The book is features copious and magnificent illustrations throughout, whereas sources for his quotations would have been helpful.

[Natalie Petchnikow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un monde de pierres. Pierres de pyramides, pierres de temples, pierres de statues. Noyées dans le sable, enlises, oubliées. Un monde de signes. Signes gravés, signes peints. Mystérieux, incompris.
Un monde qui va reprendre vie sous le regard, le crayon, la truelle de voyageurs, d'aventuriers, de savants, d'archéologues.
Un monde qui va enfin dévoiler ses secrets, en 1882, grâce à Jean-François Champollion.

[Michael P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The content disappointed me. I hoped for a book explaining ancient Egypt, but should have paid more attention to the title. It is about the archaeological digs in Egypt and the men who led them. As such, it is OK, but dully presented. Many of the illustrations are too small to be really helpful. Even adjusting to the book's actual premise, this is a disappointment.

[Tutankhamun18 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. Fast read and contains lots of information that was new to me. Presented ancient egypt from the perspective of how it was lost and discovered, rather than how it was at the time, which I found a refreshing angle to the subject.

[Bob Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little treasure.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

very helpful before my trip there in 2009

[Lady Grey · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 and half*: Some parts good, some boring.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that goes into depth the history of archeology in Egypt.

[GoldenGerbera · Rating 5 out of 5]

informative, precise and sometimes funny that i laughed out loud.