In Realm of the Pharaohs, Dr.Zahi Hawass, a noted Egyptologist, guides readers through the ancient architectural landscape of Egypt. Readers are taken from simple/ornate homes and palaces of the living to the temples of the gods and burial places of the deceased. For instance, Dr. Hawass examines the mummy of Tutankhamum as it enters an MRI machine for more detailed analysis of what remains of the cerebral and musculoskeletal systems.
A plethora of photographs and a descriptive text unveil the mysteries of ancient Egyptian life and culture. The artifacts were unearthed through major excavations. For instance, an Old Kingdom masterpiece depicts a statute of Khafre seated while being protected by the god Horus perched behind the throne. The reign of Amenhotep III produced many sculptural masterpieces like the Pharaoh seated adjacent to the crocodile god Sobek. Sobek was the god of the Nile who was believed to bring fertility to the land.
The author provides an in depth insight into how ancient Egyptians lived and prepared for death and burial. Hierakonpolis is depicted as an early industrial brewery. Wealthy Egyptians drank wine made from grapes, figs and dates. There is a limestone statue of Ramses II at Rahina and much more.
The book takes readers on a tour of the most important sites in ancient Egypt from the Pyramids at Giza to the Valley of the Kings. Pictures of the ornate earrings of Tutankhamun are depicted in a majestic red, blue and gold.
The Realm of the Pharaohs is an important research document which covers many centuries of life in ancient Egypt. The full color pictures are majestic. The presentation has a lot of detailed background information which explains the historical significance of the sites and artifacts. The book would be perfect for historians, Egyptologists, scientists and students everywhere.
Article comments
1 - DrAkmenG
It is not clear why anyone would want to put Tut through an MRI system if he is bone dry, because MRI only shows where WATER is. And so while it makes sense to attempt CT imaging which simply indicates molecular opacity to an x-ray beam, it makes no sense at all to attempt MRI which indicates metabolic activity due to the presence of water. Regarding scientific perspective, the author continues to believe the pyramids were royal tombs - and yet we never have received any credible explanation how something resembling a funerary procession could possibly navigate along those slippery, narrow, steep passages. The author's approach is very old school and is no longer applicable to modern scientific principles.