The Pyramids and the Sphinx

Description

Presenting up-to-date research and all-new photographs and plans, this authoritative volume provides a fascinating study of the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza, as well as lesser-known pyramids and tombs from Saqqara to Meidum and Dashur. Superb photography gives students and armchair archaeologists an unprecedented opportunity to see, close-up, the remarkable design of grave goods such as jewelry and furniture, details of painted and carved reliefs, the awe-inspiring architecture of the pyramids, and the always fascinating statuary. A chronology at the beginning of the book outlines the different periods, from the Early Dynastic period (circa 3000-2650 BC) through the Greco-Roman period (332 BC-642 AD). A detailed map notes the significant archaeological sites. Organized chronologically, the book begins with a study of the Step Pyramid of Saqqara, masterpiece of the architect Imhotep who, in a groundbreaking practice, used stone for the construction of an entire tomb, rather than mud brick–a building technique that was to have a major impact on the architecture of ancient Egypt. Throughout the book, photographs and text highlight the artistry and skill that made these pyramids and temples such precious world treasures.