From the pyramids along the Nile and the royal burial ground in the Valley of the Kings to the tombs of queens such as Ramesses II’s consort Nefertari and the large number of private tombs of nobles like Rekhmire and Ramose, The Tomb in Ancient Egypt is an unparalleled guide to ancient Egyptian burial sites and practices. Besides the paintings, reliefs, and statues adorning their walls, many tombs show the breathtaking skill of ancient architects, and autobiographical texts found within give rare insights into Egyptian life. We read of Harkhuf’s African explorations, returning with the gift of a dancing dwarf to his boy-king, Pepy II, and we learn how General Amenemheb saved his king’s life when charged by an enraged elephant. Written by two experts in the field, this new book traces burial practices in Egypt over three millennia, from the dawn of Egyptian history to the Roman domination. It also illuminates the work of key scholars who excavated and catalogued their finds for posterity, and it includes a comprehensive list of the principal cemeteries, with glossary and maps for ease of reference. Richly illustrated with photographs of the monuments and their art, plus numerous diagrams and reconstruction drawings, this is an essential and authoritative resource for all those passionate about ancient Egypt.

Aidan Dodson is a research fellow in archaeology and anthropology at the University of Bristol. Salima Ikram is a professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo. They are the authors of The Mummy in Ancient Egypt: Equipping the Dead for Eternity (AUC Press, 1998).