The great pyramids of Giza have intrigued humanity for thousands of years. Questions about the construction and purpose of these majestic monuments have existed since the middle period of ancient Egyptian civilization. Recent cutting-edge research, unimaginable to previous generations, has uncovered information about how and why they were built. In Mountains of the Pharaohs, Zahi Hawass tells for the fist time the complete story of the pyramids, weaving the latest archaeological data and an enthralling family history into spellbinding narrative. Nearly five thousand years ago, the fourth dynasty of Egypt’s Old Kingdom reigned over a highly advanced civilization. Believed to be gods, the royal family lived amid colossal palaces and temples built to honor them and their deified ancestors. Hawass brings these extraordinary historical figures to life, telling a saga that includes the triumphant ascension to the throne of one of only four queens to ever rule Egypt. The magnificent pyramids attest to not only the dynasty’s supreme power but also the engineering expertise and architectural sophistication that flourished under their rule. Hawass argues that the pyramids were built not by slaves, as is commonly believed, but by skilled craftsmen who took great pride in their work. Mountains of the Pharaohs is an unprecedented account of one of civilization’s greatest achievements. “This narrative history of the ancient Egyptian 4th Dynasty, written by one of the top scholars in the field, builds an engaging and accessible picture of the kings who built the greatest pyramids. All of the most recent discoveries at Giza, many made by the author himself over the past two decades, are included here. The book balances hard fact with clearly labeled theory, and will give the reader a unique view of the current state of knowledge about this fascinating period of time.”—Mark Lehner
Mountains of the Pharaohs
The Untold Story of the Pyramid Builders
Zahi Hawass
224 pp.
16 color illus.
15.5X23.5cm
ISBN 9789774248955
For sale only in the Middle East
$24.95
Also available by this author
Wonders of Abu Simbel
The Sound and Light of Nubia
Introduced by Zahi HawassOne of the highlights of a visit to the remote and imposing temples of Abu Simbel in Egypt’s far south is the famed Sound & Light Show, a spectacular show of music, historical narration, and lights and images played on the ancient statues and temple façades. This new, full-color presentation serves as the ideal record—or foretaste—of the Abu Simbel Sound & Light experience, with a historical introduction to the area and the temples by internationally renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, and the complete script of the show, accompanied by over 60 beautiful photographs of the light show and of the Abu Simbel temples and other sights of Nubia.
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15 September 2010
Paperback
96 pp.16.5X23.5cm
$14.95
Wonders of Karnak
The Sound and Light of Thebes
Introduced by Zahi HawassOne of the highlights of a visit to the historic monuments of Luxor, ancient Thebes, is the famed Sound & Light Show in the great temple complex of Karnak. As visitors arrive after sunset at the first pylon and walk through the magnificent hypostyle hall, they are treated to the first part of this spectacular show of music, historical narration, and lights and images played on the ancient walls. The experience continues as they reach their seats and view the culmination of the spectacle on the ancient stones across the sacred lake. This new, full-color presentation serves as the ideal record—or foretaste—of the Karnak Sound & Light experience, with a historical introduction to the area and the temples by internationally renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, and the complete script of the show, accompanied by over 60 beautiful photographs of the light show and of Karnak Temple and other sights of Luxor.
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1 March 2010
Paperback
96 pp.Over 60 color illus.
16.5X23.5cm
$14.95
Wonders of the Horus Temple
The Sound and Light of Edfu
Introduced by Zahi HawassPhotographs by Sherif Sonbol
One of the highlights of a visit to the temple of Horus at Edfu, halfway between Luxor and Aswan in Upper Egypt, is the famed Sound & Light Show, a spectacular show of music, historical narration , and lights and images played on the ancient temple facade and inside the columned courtyards and hallways. This new, full-color presentation serves as the ideal record—or fortaste—of the Edfu Sound & Light Experience, with historical introduction to the area and the temple by internationally renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, and the complete script of the show, accompanied by over 60 beautiful photographs of the light show and of the Horus Temple and surrounding sites.
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15 March 2011
Paperback
96 pp.60 color illus.
16.5X23.5cm
$14.95
Wonders of the Pyramids
The Sound and Light of Giza
Introduced by Zahi HawassA visit to the magnificent Pyramids of Giza, the one remaining Wonder of the ancient world, is incomplete without enjoying the performance of the spectacular Sound & Light Show of music, historical narration, and lights and images played out on the ancient stones themselves and on the eternal Sphinx. This new, full-color presentation serves as the ideal record—or foretaste—of the Pyramids Sound & Light experience, with a historical introduction to the Pyramid Age by internationally renowned Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, and the complete script of the show, accompanied by over 60 beautiful photographs of the light show and of the Giza Pyramids and temples and other pyramids of Egypt.
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15 September 2010
Paperback
96 pp.16.5X23.5cm
$14.95
Old Kingdom Pottery from Giza
Zahi HawassAshraf Senussi
This publication discusses the pottery that was discovered by Zahi Hawass’s excavations at Giza, including the Cemetery of the Pyramid Builders, the Western Cemetery, and the settlement beneath the modern suburb of Nazlet el-Samman.
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1 March 2009
Paperback
160 pp.21X29.5cm
$34.50
The Secrets of the Sphinx
Restoration Past and Present
Zahi HawassForeword byH.E. Farouk Hosni
Introduction byGaballa Ali Gaballa
This lavishly illustrated, bilingual English and Arabic volume tells the story of the Sphinx from ancient times to the present, focusing particularly on the task—first addressed in the second millenium BC—of preserving it. Published to mark the completion of a major modern restoration project, the book is an invaluable and fascinating document, a testimony not only to the skills of the people who built the Sphinx, but to those who have maintained and renewed it down the ages.
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1 September 1998
Paperback
64 pp.47 color photographs
15.5X23cm
$15.95
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