A Reader's Guide to Ancient Egypt
By Stuart Wier
First appeared as: A Bibliography of Ancient Egypt, October 1993
Revision history: December 1993; revised March 1994
Revised and renamed: The Reader's Guide to Ancient Egypt, January 1996 and March 1996
Revision history: March 1996
Edited and revised as an online publication by Bill Cherf: April 2013
Thanks to:
Judy Greenfield, Bob Hanawalt, James Lowdermilk, Robert Lowdermilk, Dennis McDonald, David
Pepper, Harriette Peters, Frank Pettee, Mary Pratchett, Andrea Preyer, Troy Sagrillo, Ted Snook, and Jill
Taylor, all members of the Egyptian Study Society, Kathie Gully of the Library of the Denver Museum of
Natural History, Emily Tetter, and Richard Wilkinson, who all provided help and encouragement.
Denver Museum of Nature and Science (formerly Denver Museum of Natural History)
The Egyptian Study Society of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is an association of persons
organized for the purpose of learning about the culture and history of Egypt, supporting and engaging in
educational programs relevant to Egyptian history, promoting Egyptian programs of the Anthropology
Department of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and rendering of financial support for, but not
limited to, acquisitions, exhibitions and programs related to Egypt within the Denver Museum of Nature
and Science.
The Egyptian Study Society
The ESS presents monthly programs, receptions for visiting archaeologists, and other activities. To
learn about ESS programs or to become a member, write The Anthropology Department, Denver Museum
of Nature and Science History, 2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80205, or call (303) 370-6388.
Contents
Introduction
General Accounts of Ancient Egypt
Akhenaten & the Amarna Period
Architecture & Building Methods
Art
Special Topics
Biographies of Modern Figures & Personal Accounts
Biography of Ancient Figures
Boats & Ships
Books, Children – Nonfiction
Children - Fiction
Young Adults – Fiction
Adult Fiction – Ancient Settings
Modern Settings
Science Fiction
Coinage
Ptolemaic Kings: 336 to 30 BC
Roman Egypt: AD 14 to 305
Conservation of Artifacts
Chronology
Daily Life in Ancient Egypt
Exhibit Catalogs & Museum Guides
Exploration of Egypt & Early Travels
Films: Documentary
Hieroglyphs & the Egyptian Philology – Basic Books
Philological Topics
Histories – General Histories of Ancient Egypt
Predynastic & Old Kingdom
Middle Kingdom, First & Second Intermediate Periods
New Kingdom & Later Periods
Jewelry
Literature of Ancient Egypt
Miscellaneous
Mummies
Music
Natural Setting (Animals, Plants, Climate, Geology, etc.)
Priesthoods
Pyramids & Related Structures - Popular Accounts & Overviews
Investigations & Reports
Reference
Religion & Mythology
Technology & Science (Astronomy, Chronology, Medicine, etc.)
Society (Social Life, Foreign Relations, Military, etc.)
Societies, Journals & Magazines
The Sphinx
Sun Temples
Syntheses & Reflections
Temples & Religious Structures
Scholarly (or hard to find)
Thebes, including Karnak, Luxor & west of Thebes
Tombs, other than Pyramids or Tombs at Thebes
Travel Guides
Tutankhamun
Valley of the Kings & Valley of the Queens
Introduction
“The question is not, why am I interested in ancient Egypt,
but why isn't everyone interested in ancient Egypt?”
- Barbara Mertz
Something about ancient Egypt will interest or delight almost everyone. Egypt offers mystery,
intellectual and scholarly challenge, buried treasure, art and craftsmanship of the highest quality, aweinspiring ruins, and human drama extending over 3000 years. The story of the exploration of its remains
combines hard work under very demanding conditions with great intellectual triumphs as well as dazzling
tangible discoveries. And the story of ancient Egypt is by no means complete.
This Reader's Guide to Ancient Egypt is an invitation to read the best popular books and selected
scholarly works about ancient Egypt in English. A reader of any level, from complete novice to up to
university student, should be able to find suitable works listed here, including the latest information on all
but the most obscure topics about ancient Egypt.
In the past two centuries some twenty thousand books have been written about ancient Egypt in all
languages. Many of the best are by men and women who made a career studying the remains and culture of
ancient Egypt, and who worked extensively in Egypt. These authors have knowledge, insight, and notable
writing ability. Many works have beautiful illustrations.
The problem is to discover the titles and authors of the books that suit your interests. Publishers print
few copies and rarely keep them in print for long. The demand is not large enough to support good
selections in most libraries; most bookstores only have some of what is in print at the moment, a tiny
fraction of even the best titles.
This guide attempts to list all the best popular works in English, and selected scholarly publications
which are especially good for their topics. We include obscure works when they are the best thing on a
subject, but have not included excellent rare books whose material is well treated in easier-to-obtain
volumes; this is not a guide for collectors of rarities. A few older books have been listed because of past
prominence in Egyptology, or for lasting insights, even if they are now somewhat dated. Books are
included if they are readable, or at least not too arcane, and represent the consensus of scholarship on
ancient Egypt. Books which are good general introductions or overviews of a topic are noted with the
symbols DDD.
The time period for the guide extends from earliest human habitation in Egypt until the death of
Cleopatra, the last resident ruler of Egypt following the ancient culture. Most of the books pertain to
sometime between 3000 B.C. and 1000 B.C.
We hope this guide helps enthusiasts of ancient Egypt sustain their interest and find the information
they are looking for. Most books listed here have their own bibliographies. A single recent book on a topic
can be a key to all the research on that subject.
Stuart Wier
March 20, 1996
Introduction Copyright © 1996 Stuart Wier
It has been some seventeen years since Stuart Wier wrote those words, and as one might imagine, a
considerable amount of scholarly industry has been churning in the interim. There is simply no way that
one individual can begin to keep up with it all, but I have made a modest start, one which I sincerely hope
that others will only add to.
Bill Cherf
April 2013
Back to Contents
General Accounts of Ancient Egypt
Immortal Egypt. Invited Lectures on the Middle East at the University of Texas at Austin. Denise
Schmandt-Bessart, ed. Undena Publications: Malibu, California, 1978.
Pharaohs and Mortals. Torgny Säve-Söderbergh. Trans. By Richard E. Oldenburg. Barnes &
Noble: New York, 1958.
Discovering Ancient Egypt. Rosalie David. New York, N.Y.: Facts on File Publications, 1993. 192
pages, illustrated. Includes sections on "the discoverers" and "outline of Egyptian history."
Old World Civilizations. The Rise of Cities and States. Goran Burenhult, ed. Harper Collins, 1994.
239 p. Many professional contributors. Through European iron age. 21 pages on ancient Egypt.
Cradles of Civilization: Egypt. Jaromir Malek, ed. Univ. Oklahoma, 1993. 192 p. 324 color illus.,
61 black-and-white photos, 9 maps. Ancient to modern period.
The British Museum Book of Ancient Egypt. Stephen Quirke and Jeffrey Spenser. Thames and
Hudson, 1992. 240 p. "excellent" "profusely illustrated"
Egypt: Land of the Pharaohs. Lost Civilizations series. Alexandria Virginia: Time-Life, 1992. 168
p. 186 illus. From a series of books about archaeology. Well done; a good starting point for the
beginner. Good review of past work and also up-to-date; well produced; good photographs. One of
best introductory books for a complete beginner. [DMNS Lib.]
The World of the Pharaohs. Christine Hobson. Thames & Hudson, 1987. Many photos and
diagrams; special sections on hieroglyphs, temples, site descriptions, what to see in Egypt, short
biographies of Egyptologists, and much else. A good introduction.
The Egyptians. Cyril Aldred. Thames & Hudson, 1984 revision. Another good introduction.
Rather intellectual British vocabulary. Not quite as excellent as Aldred's book on art. Does not
describe field work or archaeologists. [DMNS Lib.]
Atlas of Ancient Egypt. John Baines and Jaromir Malek. New York, N.Y.: Facts on File
Publications, 1980. 240 p. illus. Lots of detail, organized by locations, with maps, diagrams,
photos, etc. One of the best references, but not an introduction or narrative history.
An Introduction to Ancient Egypt. T.G.H. James. British Museum, 1979; Harper and Row 1990.
287 p. James is an excellent writer and knowledgeable in all aspects of ancient Egypt.
Ancient Egypt Discovering its Splendors. Karl W. Butzer et al. Washington: National Geographic
Society, 1978. 256 p. Excellent photos & diagrams. Chapters by I.E.S. Edwards, W. K. Simpson,
Barbara Mertz, and others. Came with an actual piece of modern papyrus.
The First Great Civilizations: Life in Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and Egypt. Jacquetta
Hawkes. NY: Knopf, 1973. 465 p. 92 illus. A "beautifully written" introduction.
The Pyramids and Sphinx. Desmond Stewart. Newsweek, 1971. 172 p. Actually a fine short
history of Egypt. Includes some history since ancient times, and special section "The Pyramids and
Sphinx in Literature" with extensive quotes from Herodotus to G. B. Shaw, some very
entertaining.
Temples, Tombs and Hieroglyphs: A Popular History of Ancient Egypt. Barbara Mertz. CowardMcCann 1964; Bendick 1990. 349 p. Easy reading; has freshness and enthusiasm. More
inspirational than comprehensive.
The Splendor that was Egypt. Margaret Murray. London 1964; rev. ed., New York: Praeger, 1969.
Egypt of the Pharaohs: An Introduction. Sir Alan Gardiner. Oxford 1960; 1966. 460p. Detailed
and a little serious, but by an expert on ancient Egypt and its language. "classic authoritative
work." Includes translations of several important texts.
The Horizon Book of Lost Worlds. Leonard Cottrell. New York: American Heritage, 1962. 431 p.
Large size, and a good selection of color photos. Good summary of Egyptian history. Includes
Egypt, Sumer, Babylon, Crete, and others. Good introduction for a complete beginner.
Tombs, Temples & Ancient Art. Joseph Lindon Smith. Norman: University of Oklahoma, 1956.
The Glory of Egypt. Samivel. translated by J. E. Manchip White. NY: Vanguard, 1956. Photos by
Michel Audrain. 229 p. 115 photographs. A "lovely book" of photographs.
Back to Contents
Akhenaten & the Amarna Period
The God’s Father Ay. Otto von Schaden. PhD. Dissertation. University of Minnesota. 1977.
University Microfilms International, Ann Arbor, MI.
Thebes in the Time of Amunhotep III. Elizabeth Riefstahl. University of Oklahoma Press:
Norman, 1971. Fine description of the capital and court.
Three Amarna Essays. Mario Liverani. Trans. By Matthew L. Jaffe. Undena Publications: Malibu,
California, 1979.
Iknhaton. Legend and History. F.J. Giles. Fairleigh Dickenson University Press: Rutherford, Ohio,
1970. Another interpretation of Akhenaton.
The Amarna Age. A Study of the Crisis of the Ancient World. James Baikie and Stanley A. Cook.
MacMillan Company: New York, 1926. Old, but interesting.
The Amarna Letters. edited and translated by William L. Moran. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins
University Press, 1992. 393 p. Translations of the nearly 400 cuneiform Tell el-Amarna tablets.
Akhenaten's Sed-festival at Karnak. Jocelyn Gohary. London; New York: Kegan Paul
International; New York, NY, USA: Distributed by Routledge, Chapman & Hall, 1992. 238 p.,
110 p. of plates
A Bibliography of the Amarna Period and its Aftermath: The Reigns of Akhenaten, Smenkhkare,
Tutankhamun, and Ay (c. 1350-1321 BC). Geoffrey Thorndike Martin. London; New York:
Kegan Paul International, 1991. 136 p.
The Private Chapel in Ancient Egypt: a study of the chapels in the workmen's village at el Amarna
with special reference to Deir el Medina and other sites. Ann H. Bomann. London; New York:
Kegan Paul International, 1991. 144 p.
Amarna Letters (2 vols.) (96 p. 156 ill.; 128 p., 176 ill.); 1990; 1992, available from KMT
magazine; address listed below. Essays on the times before, during, and after Akhenaten.
Boundary Stelae of Akhenaten. William Murnane.
Quseir el-Amarna: the tombs of Pepy-ankh and Khewen-wekh. A. el-Khouli and N. Kanawati.
Sydney: Australian Centre for Egyptology, 1989. 57 p.
Akhenaten: King of Egypt. Cyril Aldred. Thames and Hudson, revised edition, 1988. [DMNS
Lib.] New information on the King's temple at Karnak.
Akhenaten: The Heretic King, Donald B. Redford. Princeton University. 1984. "Perhaps the best
single book on this controversial figure." [DMNS Lib.] The author excavated the Akhenaten
temple at Karnak.
Amarna: City of Akhenaten and Nefertiti. J. Samson. 2nd ed., Aris and Phillips, 1979.
Akhenaten and Nefertiti. Cyril Aldred. Viking 1973. 231 p. Exhibition catalog of 175 items. "One
of the best books on the subject."
Akhenaten: Pharaoh of Egypt - A New Study. Cyril Aldred. McGraw-Hill, 1968. 153 illustrations.
The Age of Akhenaten. Eleonore Bille-DeMot. McGraw-Hill, 1966.
Amarna Reliefs from Hermopolis in American collections. John D. Cooney. Mainz a. Rhein von
Zabern 1965 110 p. A publication of the Department of Ancient Art, the Brooklyn Museum.
The Chronology of the Amarna letters, with special reference to the hypothetical coregency of
Amenophis III and Akhenaten. Edward Campbell. Baltimore, Johns Hopkins Press 1964. 163 p.
Ancient Egypt; the New Kingdom and the Amarna period. Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt.
Photographed by F. L. Kenett. Greenwich, Conn., New York Graphic Society 1960. 33 plates.
Nefertiti Lived here. Mary A. Chubb. London, 1954. "An amusing and partly fictional book" on
work at Amarna.
Tell el-Amarna. J.D.S. Pendlebury. London, 1935. A popular account of British work here.
The Mural paintings of El-Amarneh. Henri Frankfort. London: Egyptian Exploration Society,
1929. 74 p. 21 plates. 8 plates in color. A key book on Amarna, and rare.
The City of Akhenaten. 3 vols. T. Peet and J.D.S Pendlebury. London 1922-1935. Reports.
Die El-Amarna Taflen. 2 vols. J. A. Knudtzon. Leipzig, 1907-1915. "The definitive study."
Tell El Amarna. W. M. Flinders Petrie; with chapters by A. H. Sayce, F. L. Griffith, and F. C. J.
Spurrell. Warminster, Eng.: Aris & Phillips; Encino, Calif.: J. L. Malter, 1974 46 p., 24 plates.
Reprint of the 1894 ed. published by Methuen, London.
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Architecture & Building Methods
The Art and Architecture of the Ancient Near East. Henri Frankfort. Penguin Books: New York,
1954.
Ancient Egyptian Architectural Design. A Study of the Harmonic System. Alexander Badawy.
Berkeley, 1965. Fascinating design insights into Egyptian temple construction.
Building in Egypt Pharaonic Stone Masonry. Dieter Arnold. Oxford University Press, 1991. 316 p.
Excellent; superb diagrams, by one of the top experts in the subject.
"An Old Kingdom Basalt Quarry at Widan el Faras and the Quarry Road to Lake Moeris in the
Faiyum, Egypt." J.A. Harrell and T. M. Bown. Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt,
32, 1995.
Ancient Egyptian Construction and Architecture. Somers Clarke and R. Engelbach. New York:
Dover Publications, 1990. 242 p. An unabridged republication of the work originally published in
1930 by Oxford University Press, under the title Ancient Egyptian Masonry. The Builders' Craft.
Building Construction before Mechanization. John Fitchen. Cambridge (MA) and London, 1986.
Ancient Egyptian Architecture. James Phillips. Monticello, Illinois: Vance Bibliographies, 1982.
Brick Architecture in Ancient Egypt. A.J. Spencer. Aris and Phillips, 1979. 159 p
The Master Builders: A History of Structural and Environmental Design from Ancient Egypt to
the Nineteenth Century. Henry J. Cowan. New York: Wiley, 1977. 299 p.
Ancient Architecture: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Crete, Greece. Seton Lloyd, Hans Wolfgang Muller,
and Roland Martin. New York, H. N. Abrams 1974 415 p.
The Buildings of Ancient Egypt. Helen and Richard Leacroft. New York: W. R. Scott, 1963.
[DMNS Lib.]
Architecture of the Ancient Civilizations in color: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Bodo Cichy. [Translated
from the German by A. K. Bakker] New York, Viking Press 1966 424 p.
Architecture in Ancient Egypt and the Near East. Alexander Badawy. Cambridge, M.I.T. Press
1966, 1972. 246 p.
The Eternal Present: The Beginnings of Architecture, S. Giedion, 583 p., Pantheon 1964. Part of
the Andrew W. Mellon Lectures in Fine Arts for 1957. Discusses Egypt and Mesopotamia; mostly
Egypt. Looks good for the serious student of Egyptian architecture and sculpture.
Egyptian Ornament. M Vilimkova and P. Fortova-Samalova. London: Wingate, 1963. 163 p. 84
Color plates of design elements in tombs, temples, and monuments done in watercolor paintings.
"Most beautiful."
Egypt. Jean-Louis de Cenival and Henri Stierlin. ("Architecture of the World" series). Benedikt
Taschen, 1963. 193 p. Survey of ancient Egyptian architecture with excellent black and white
photos and diagrams.
Egypt: Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, K. Lange and M. Hirmer, 4th edition, London: Phaidon
Press, 1961. 364 p. 260 photographs. "A great book."
The Art and Architecture of Ancient Egypt, W. Stevenson Smith, revised by William Kelly
Simpson, 501 p., Penguin, 1958, 1981. Still in print. Illustrations are only in black and white,
otherwise excellent. Not light reading but very thorough.
A History of Egyptian Architecture, vols. I - III, Alexander Badawy, Giza 1954, reprinted by
Histories and Mysteries of Man Ltd.; 1 Battersea Bridge Road, London SW1. "Dated but complete
and scholarly." "A great book."
Egyptian Architecture, W. F. M. Petrie.
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Art
Egyptian Art. Cyril Aldred. Thames & Hudson, 1980. Fine writing and photos; also a good
introduction to ancient Egypt by way of this topic.
The Art and Architecture of Ancient Egypt. W. Stevenson Smith. 1958, revised by William Kelly
Simpson. Penguin, 1981. 501 p. paperback. Still in print. Illustrations are in black and white,
otherwise excellent. Not light reading but very thorough. "Best survey of art." [DMNS Lib.]
Egyptian Sculpture: Cairo and Luxor. Edna R. Russmann; photographs by David Finn. Austin:
University of Texas Press, 1989. 230 p. Big book with lots of photos.
The Canonical Tradition in Ancient Egyptian Art. Whitney Davis. Cambridge University Press,
1989. 272 pages.
Principles of Egyptian Art. H. Schaefer, translated by J. Baines. Oxford: Griffith Institute, 1986.
498 pages.
Egyptian Painting and Drawing in the British Museum. T.J.H. James. British Museum, 1985.
[DMNS Lib.]
The Representations of Statuary in Private Tombs of the Old Kingdom. M. Eaton-Krauss.
Wiesbaden: Otto Harroassowitz, 1984.
Egyptian Sculpture. T.J.H. James and W. V. Davies. Harvard University Press, 1983. 72 p. Survey
of the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery of the British Museum. [DMNS Lib.]
Egyptian Wall Paintings: The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Collection of Facsimiles. C. K.
Wilkinson. New York, 1983. [DMNS Lib.]
Great Sculpture of Ancient Egypt. Kazimierz Michalowski; translated from the Italian by Enid
Kirchberger. New York: Morrow, 1978. 191 p. 192 photographs; complement to his Art of
Ancient Egypt.
Egyptian Drawings. W.H. Peck and J. G. Ross. New York, Dutton, 1978. 208 p. 148 plates of
Egyptian drawings; many of them are preliminaries to paintings. "Lovely."
Ancient Egypt Three Thousand Years of Splendor. Warner Hutchinson. Grosset & Dunlap, 1978.
116 p. 125 photographs of wall paintings and relief carvings.
Principles of Egyptian Art. H. Shafer. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1974. Scholarly, but a standard
work for the serious student.
Monuments of Civilization: Egypt. Claudio Barocas. NY: Grosset & Dunlap, 1972. 192 p. 115
Color photos, including tomb and temple paintings and sculpture. "Stunning."
Art of Ancient Egypt. Kazimier Michalowski. [Translated and adapted from the Polish and the
French by Norbert Guterman] New York: H. N. Abrams 1969; Thames and Hudson 1985. 600 p.
[DMNS Lib.; 2 copies]. 145 color illus. "Magnificent."
Egypt: Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, K. Lange and M. Hirmer, 4th edition, London: Phaidon
Press, 1968. 364 p. 260 photographs. "A great book."
Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture of Ancient Egypt. Wolfhart Westendorf. New York: H. N.
Abrams, 1968. 260 p. Translation of Das alte Agypten. "Succinct and handy reference with great
illustrations."
Gods, Men and Pharaohs The Glory of Egyptian Art. Irmgard Woldering. NY: Abrams, 1967, 276
p. 249 illus. "A most beautiful book."
Egyptian Art in the Egyptian Museum of Turin. Ernesto Scamuzzi. Abrams, 1965. [DMNS Lib.]
The Development of Ancient Egyptian Art from 3200 to 1315 B. C. Cyril Aldred. London: A.
Tiranti, 1965. Contains the author's three previous short works Old Kingdom Art in Ancient
Egypt, Middle Kingdom Art in Ancient Egypt, and New Kingdom Art in Ancient Egypt, with an
additional introductory preface.
The Art of Egypt. The Time of the Pharaohs. Irmgard Woldering. New York: Greystone, 1962.
Egyptian Wall Paintings from tombs and temples. UNESCO. Intro. by Christiane DesrochesNoblecourt. New York: New American Library of World Literature, 1962. [DMNS Lib.]
Egyptian Sculpture of the Late Period, 700 B.C. to 100 A.D. B. V. Bothmer. New York: Brooklyn
Museum, 1960. Exhibit catalog. Author is a top expert in this period.
Tombs, Temples, and Ancient Art. Joseph Smith. ed. by Corinna Smith. Norman: University of
Oklahoma Press, 1956.
Les Chefs-d'Oeuvre de la Peinture Egyptienne. Andre Lhote. Paris: Arts du Monde, Hachette,
1954. "stunning color photos of tomb paintings." 190 plates, many in color.
A History of Egyptian Sculpture and Painting in the Old Kingdom. William Stevenson Smith.
London and Oxford, 1949 2nd ed., 422p. "Still important."
Ancient Egyptian Paintings. Nina M. Davies and Alan Gardiner. Chicago: University of Chicago
Press, 1936.
Egyptian Sculpture. Margaret Murray. London: Duckworth 1930. 207 p. 55 plates. One of many
fine books by the first full-time woman archaeologist.
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Special Topics
Symbol and Magic in Ancient Egypt. Richard H. Wilkinson. Thames and Hudson, 1994. 224 p.
Proportion and Style in Ancient Egyptian Art. Gay Robins. Austin: Univ. of Texas Press, 1994.
"Artists and Artisans in Pharaonic Egypt." R. Drenkhahn. in Civilizations of the Ancient Near
East, eds. J. Sasson et al. New York: Scribners, 1994.
"On the Status and Purposes of Ancient Egyptian Art." John Baines. Cambridge Archaeological
Journal, vol. 4, no. 1, April 1994. pp. 67-94.
Reading Egyptian Art Richard H. Wilkinson. Thames and Hudson, 1992. 224 p., 450 illus. A
dictionary of some 100 signs most often used in painting and inscriptions, with extensive
discussion of each.
"Proportionality in Mind and Space in Ancient Egypt." Barry Kemp and Pamela Rose. Cambridge
Archaeological Journal, vol. 1, no. 1. April 1991. pp. 103-129.
The Art of Amenhotep III: Art historical analysis: papers presented at the international symposium
held at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio, 20-21 November 1987. edited by
Lawrence Michael Berman. Cleveland Museum of Art in cooperation with Indiana University
Press, 1990. xii, 92 p.
Ancient Egyptian designs for artists and craftspeople. Eva Wilson. New York: Dover Publications,
1987. 100 p. Dover pictorial archive series reprint. Originally published as Ancient Egyptian
designs, London British Museum Publications, 1986. (British Museum pattern books).
Pharaohs and Mortals: Egyptian art in the Middle Kingdom. catalogue by Janine Bourriau; with a
contribution by Stephen Quirke. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press; Cambridge
Fitzwilliam Museum, 1988. Exhibition organized by the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge 1988.
"This is an excellent treatise on Middle Kingdom art, which seeks to weave the art of the period
into the historical development of the Middle Kingdom."
Through Ancient Eyes: Egyptian portraiture: an exhibition organized for the Birmingham Museum
of Art, Birmingham, Alabama, April 21-July 31, 1988. Donald Spanel. 159 p.
Ancient Egyptian Art in the Brooklyn Museum. Richard A. Fazzini et al. Brooklyn, N.Y.: The
Brooklyn Museum and Thames and Hudson, 1989. "Wonderful collection."
The Road to Kadesh: a historical interpretation of the battle reliefs of King Sety I at Karnak.
William J. Murnane. 2nd ed. Chicago, Ill.: Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, 1990.
Africa in Antiquity: the arts of Ancient Nubia and the Sudan. Brooklyn, N.Y.: Brooklyn Museum,
1978. Catalog of the exhibition held at the Brooklyn Museum, September 30-December 31, 1978
Canon and Proportions in Egyptian Art. E. Iverson, 2nd ed. Aris and Phillips, 1976. "very
scholarly"
Decorative Patterns of the ancient world for craftsmen. W. M. Flinders Petrie. Dover, 1974.
[DMNS Lib.]
Ancient Egyptian Art: the Cults of Osiris and Amon. E. Otto, Photos by Max Hirmer. New York,
Abrams 1967 144 p.
Amarna Reliefs from Hermopolis in American collections. John D. Cooney. Mainz am Rhein, von
Zabern, 1965. 110 p. "A publication of the Department of Ancient Art, the Brooklyn Museum."
Interconnections in the Ancient Near-East; a study of the relationships between the Arts of Egypt,
the Aegean, and western Asia. William Stevenson Smith. New Haven, Yale University Press,
1965. 202 p.
Tomb sculpture; four lectures on its changing aspects from Ancient Egypt to Bernini. Erwin
Panofsky. Edited by H. W. Janson. New York: H. N. Abrams 1964 319 p. 446 illus.
Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries. Alfred Lucas. 4th ed., rev. and enlarged by J.R. Harris.
London: Edward Arnold, 1962. 523 p. Lucas worked on conservation of materials from the tomb
of Tutankhamun, among other things. This book is still a standard reference. Includes chemical
analysis of pigments used in paintings.
Ancient Egypt as Represented in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. William Stevenson Smith,
curator of Egyptian Art. 4th ed., fully revised. Boston, 1960 215 p.
Topographical Bibliography of Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphic Texts, Reliefs, and Paintings.
Bertha Porter and Rosalind Moss. Oxford: Griffith Institute, Ashmolean Museum. Including the
following titles:
Volume I part I. The Theban Necropolis Private Tombs. 520 p. 8 maps.
Volume I part II. The Theban Necropolis Royal Tombs and Smaller Cemeteries. 440 p. 20 maps.
Volume II. Theban Temples. 622 p. 49 maps and plans.
Volume III Part I. Memphis. Abu Rawash to Abusir. 422 p. 40 plans and maps.
Volume III part II. Memphis. Saqqara to Dahshur. 657 p. 36 maps and plans.
Volume IV. Lower and Middle Egypt. 320 p. 33 plans, 6 maps.
Volume V. Upper Egypt Sites. 315 p. 32 plans. 4 maps.
Volume VI. Upper Egypt Chief Temples. 283 p. 40 plans.
Volume VII. Nubia, The Deserts, and Outside Egypt. 488 p. 63 plans, 8 maps.
Coptic Art and Archaeology. The Art of the Christian Egyptians from the Late Antique to the
Middle Ages. Alexander Badawy. MIT Press: Cambridge, MA, 1978. Wonderful introduction into
a poorly understood and documented period of Egyptian history.
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Biographies of Modern Figures & Personal Accounts
Howard Carter, The Path to TutAnkhAmun. T.G.H James. 1992.
Howard Carter Before TutAnkhAmun. Nicholas Reeves and John H. Taylor. Abrams, 1992.
[DMNS Lib.]
Nile Notes of a Howadji: A Bibliography of Traveler's Tales From Egypt, to 1918. Martin
Kalfatovic. Metchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 19923. 427 p.
Flinders Petrie: A Life in Archaeology. Margaret S. Drower. London: V. Gollancz, 1985. 500 p.
Recollections of an Egyptologist, Dows Dunham, Boston, 1972. 55 p. Worked at Boston with
Reisner, starting in 1914.
Seventy Years in Archaeology. W. M. Flinders Petrie. New York: H. Holt and Company, 1932.
307 p.
A Thousand Miles up the Nile. Amelia B. Edwards. London: Longmans, Green, 1877. 732 p.
reprinted many times since. Drawings by the author. Amelia Edwards, one of the great Victorian
women travelers, went to Egypt in 1873 "to get out of the rain," and ended up an enthusiast for
ancient Egypt, and a leading proponent of modern archeological methods and careful preservation.
Her book is more than an historical curiosity. The excellent descriptions of the ancient monuments
are still exciting and fresh. This might be the book to give to a literary friend who has not yet
become interested in Egypt. Everyone interested in Egypt ought to read this.
Letters from Egypt, A Journey on the Nile 1849 - 1850. Florence Nightingale. London: Barrie and
Jenkins. reprinted 1987.
My First Hundred Years. Margaret Murray. London: Kimber, 1963. "Delightful." The first fulltime woman archaeologist relates her first century.
My Working Years. Alan Gardiner. London: Coronet, 1964. The great hieroglyph scholar.
Bonaparte in Egypt. Herold J. Christopher. London: Hamish Hamilton, 1962. Who earned respect
by bringing a bevy of scholars to Egypt, a very productive group.
The World of the Pharaohs, Hans Baumann. color photographs by Albert Burges; line drawings by
Hans Peter Renner. Pantheon, 1960. 256 p. recounts some of the great discoveries. "Delightful."
The March of Archaeology. C. W. Ceram. NY: Knopf, 1958. 326 p.
Pioneer to the Past: The Story of James Henry Breasted. Charles Breasted. Scribners, 1943, 1947.
436 pages. Biography of one of America's great Egyptologists.
The Innocents Abroad. Mark Twain. Boston: Joseph Knight, 1895, and later. Includes humorous
account of climbing the Pyramids.
Ten Years Digging In Egypt 1881-1891. W. M. F. Petrie. NY: Fleming, 1892.
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Biographies of Ancient Figures
Monarchs of the Nile. Aidan Dodson. London: Rubicon Press, 1995. 238 p. A concise account of
the lives and times of some of the significant occupants of the Egyptian throne, from unification to
Cleopatra.
Chronicle of the Pharaohs. P. A. Clayton. Thames and Hudson, 1994(?). 224 p. 350 illus. A handy
reference to all the kings, with many photos of images of the kings.
Fragments of a Shattered Visage: The Proceedings of the International Symposium on Ramesses
the Great. eds. R. E. Freed and E. Bleiberg. Memphis: Memphis State University, 1993.
Ramses II. editors of Time-Life. Alexandria, Virginia, 1993. Another from the Lost Civilization
series. Good coverage of topic with excellent color photographs.
A Biographical Dictionary of Ancient Egypt. Rosalie David and Antony David. London: Seaby,
1992. 179 p. A good beginning reference on figures and sites.
Who were the Pharaohs. Stephen Quirke. British Museum, 1990. 80 p. [US: Dover Publications].
Brief biography of prominent pharaohs; not a children's book. Hieroglyph name of each is shown.
Cleopatra: Histories, Dreams, and Distortions. Lucy Hughes-Hallett. NY: Harper and Row, 1990.
338 pages. "Cleopatra" changes through time to support fads of the moment. And a true portrait.
Hatshepsut. Amr Hussein. Elias Modern Press, Egypt, 1989.
Ramses II: The Pharaoh and his time: learning resource packet for teachers, parents, and students.
College of Education. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University, 1985. [DMNS Lib.]
Nefertiti and Cleopatra: Queen-Monarchs of Ancient Egypt. Julia Samson; introduction by H.S.
Smith. London, UK: Rubicon Press, 1985. 150 p.
Pharaoh Triumphant: The Life and Times of Ramses II. K. A. Kitchen. Toronto: Benben;
Warminster U.K.: Aris & Phillips, 1982. By an expert on the subject. [DMNS Lib.]
Cleopatra. Michael Grant. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1973. 324 p. noted popular historian
Hatshepsut. Evelyn Wells. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1969.
"The Search for Imhotep" Lionel Casson. Horizon magazine, Summer 1969.
Lives of the Pharaohs. Pierre Montet. Cleveland: World Publishing, 1968.
Pharaohs of Egypt. Jacquetta Hawkes. London: Cassell, 1967 [DMNS Lib.]
Lady of the Two Lands: Five Queens of Ancient Egypt. Leonard Cottrell. Indianapolis: Bobbs-
Merrill 1967 238 p. First published in 1966 under title: Queens of the Pharaohs. Another good
popularizer.
Nefertiti. Evelyn Wells. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1964. 300 p.
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Boats & Ships
The ancient Egyptians were the first to build large vessels, even sea-going ships, and use them
extensively, though this accomplishment is overshadowed by other feats. By 2500 B.C. they were
transporting very large timbers by ship across the Mediterranean, and 50-ton granite blocks down
the length of the Nile.
Museum of Cheops Boat. Amal M. Safwat El-Alfy. Cairo: Egyptian Antiquities Organization
Press, 1986. [DMNS Lib.]
Ships and Seaman in the Ancient World. Lionel Casson. 2nd. ed. Princeton, 1986.
Egyptian Boats and Ships. Steve Vinson. Shire Egyptology Series, Shire Publications, Church
Street, Princes Risborough, Bucks HP27 9AJ U.K.
A Glossary of Ancient Egyptian Nautical Titles and Terms. Dilwyn Jones. London; New York:
Kegan Paul; New York, NY, USA: Distributed by Routledge, Chapman & Hall, 1988.
The Royal Ship of Cheops. Paul Lipke. Greenwich: National Maritime Museum, 1984.
The Boat Beneath the Pyramid. Nancy Jenkins. Thames and Hudson 1980.
Ships of the Pharaohs. Bjorn Landstrom. Doubleday, 1970.
The Ship. An Illustrated History. Bjorn Landstrom. Doubleday, 1961. Several paintings of how
ancient Egyptian ships probably appeared, by a marine historian and skilled artist.
The Cheops Boats. M. Z. Nour et al. Cairo 1960.
The Navy of the Eighteenth Dynasty. T. Save-Soderbergh. Uppsala and Leipzig, 1946.
Études de Nautique Égyptienne. L'Art de la Navigation en Égypte jusqu'a la Fin de l'Ancien
Empire. Charles Boreux. Cairo, l'Institut Francais d'Archeologie Orientale, 1925. 569 p., 200
figures, and 3 plates. "Boreux specialized in Egyptian ships and nautical matters."
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Books, Children – Nonfiction
There are many books about ancient Egypt for children, with new ones appearing all the time.
Some are not always exactly correct. The first three in this list are the best general introductions to
ancient Egypt I know of in print at the moment. See introductory books listed under other topics,
such as Hieroglyhs, which are often good introductions for older children as well as adults.
An Egyptian Pyramid, J. Morley, M. Bergin, and J. James, Peter Bedrick Books, 1991. Covers all
society, not only pyramids. Best value for money in children's books.
Ancient Egypt, Judith Crosher, Viking, 1992.
What do we know about the Egyptians? Joanna DeFrates, Peter Bedrick Books, 1991,
Cleopatra. Diane Stanley. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1994. [DMNS Lib.]
The Ancient Egyptians: Life in the Nile Valley. Viviane Koenig. Millbrook Press, 1992. 64 p.
Hieroglyphs from A to Z: A Rhyming book with ancient Egyptian stencils for kids. Peter Der
Manuelian. Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, 1991.
Ancient Egypt (Eyewitness Books series), George Hart, Knopf, 1990. Most of the book is some
200 excellent color photographs of actual ancient artifacts, many from everyday life. [DMNS Lib.]
Ancient Egypt: Cultural Atlas for Young People. Geraldine Harris, New York: Facts on File, 1990.
Into the Mummy's Tomb The Real-Life Discovery of TutAnkhAmun's Treasures, Nicholas
Reeves, Scholastic, 1992. Just about the discovery; little about ancient Egypt. Reeves is an expert
on Tut.
The Giant Book of the Mummy, Rosalie David, Reed, 1992, 10p. and text on covers, 25 by 16
inches. More Tuttery. Despite the gimmick - huge size and stiff pages - this is really fairly good.
Paintings of scenes from Tut's life (conjectural) and artifacts from the tomb. The author is an
authority.
Indiana Jones explores Ancient Egypt. John Malam. London: Evans Brothers Limited, 1991.
"Indiana Jones, fictitious archeologist-adventurer, describes the civilization of ancient Egypt, its
history, geography, dynasties, daily life, religion, art, and influences on subsequent civilizations"
Only Indy could do all that in 47 pages!
Pyramids of Ancient Egypt. John D. Clare; consultant editor Rosalie David. London, England:
Bodley Head, 1991. 64 p. Photos use real people and reconstructed backgrounds.
Language and Writing in ancient Egypt. David P. Silverman. Pittsburgh, PA: Carnegie Museum of
Natural History, 1990. 48 p.
The Riddle of the Rosetta Stone: Key to Ancient Egypt: illustrated with photographs, prints, and
drawings. James Cross Giblin. New York: Crowell, 1990. 85 p.
A Short History of Ancient Egypt. David O'Connor. Pittsburgh, PA: Carnegie Museum of Natural
History, 1990. 40 p.
ABC, Egyptian Art from the Brooklyn Museum. Florence Cassen Mayers. New York: Abrams,
1988. 32 p. Presents ancient Egyptian art objects from the Brooklyn Museum in alphabetical order
(crocodiles, kings, mummies, pyramid, etc.).
Science in Ancient Egypt. Woods, Geraldine. Watts, 1988. 92 p.
Mummies Tombs, and Treasures. Lila Perl. NY: Clarion, 1987. 120 p. "Delightful."
See Inside an Egyptian Town, Unstead (ed.), Barnes & Nobel 1986 Amarna period only; also a
picture book plus text; about 75 p.
Hieroglyphs the writing of Ancient Egypt, N. J. Katan, Antheneum NY 1981, 96p. Grades 6 - 8 or
so. See also books listed under hieroglyphs.
"Expedition" (a game), Whitehall Games, 1980, Newton Mass 02158.
Mummies made in Egypt. Aliki. New York: Crowell, 1979. 32 p. Describes the techniques and the
reasons for the use of mummification in ancient Egypt.
The Mummy of Ramose: the life and death of an Ancient Egyptian nobleman. Shirley Glubok and
Alfred Tamarin. New York: Harper & Row, 1978. 82 p.
The Time Traveler Book of Pharaohs & Pyramids, Tony Allen, Usborne, 1977; lots of new
drawings showing ancient Egyptian life.
Ancient Egyptians, Pierre Miquel, Silver Burdett, 1979; both these two books similar and good;
second slightly more advanced.
Pyramid. David Macaulay; illustrated by the author. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1975. 80 p. Text
and black-and-white drawings illustrate plausible construction of Khufu's pyramid.
The Archaeology of Ancient Egypt. T. G. H. James; drawings by Rosemonde Nairac. London:
Bodley Head, 1972. 144 p.
Egyptian Hieroglyphs for Everyone, J. and L. Scott, Harper Collins, 1968, 94 p. Grades 7 - 12?
Fun with Hieroglyphs, Catherine Roehrig, Metropolitan Museum of Art, $20.00. A project kit to
spell English words with hieroglyphs. Includes 24 rubber stamps of the hieroglyphs which come
closest to being an alphabet. Do it yourself. Since hieroglyphs have almost no vowels, this is
make-believe, but fun. Good to stimulate children's interest.
The World of the Pharaohs, Hans Baumann. color photographs by Albert Burges; line drawings by
Hans Peter Renner. Pantheon, 1960. 256 p. recounts some of the great discoveries. "Delightful."
William and His Friends. A Group of Notable Creatures in the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Herded Together. Elisabeth Naramore. Viking Press, 1936. William arrived at the Met in 1917, at
age 4000, plus or minus a few years.
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Children – Fiction
This section includes a selection from the article: "Ancient Egypt in Children's Fiction" by Elsa
Harik in the magazine KMT, vol. 3 no. 2, Fall 1992 (KMT address listed at end of the Reader's
Guide), plus other books.
The Blue Faience Hippopotamus, Joan Grant, illustrations by Alexandra Day, Green Tiger Press,
1984. Beautiful pictures; delightful story. For reading to age 3 and up; reading by grades 2 or 3
and up.
The Winged Cat: A Tale of Ancient Egypt. Deborah Lattimore. Harper Collins, 1992. [DMNS
Lib.]
The Prince who knew His Fate An Ancient Egyptian Tale translated from hieroglyphs and
illustrated by Lise Manniche. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art/Philomel Books, 1981. 40
p. Retells the 3,000 year-old Egyptian tale of the prince whose fate, to die by a crocodile, a snake,
or a dog, is decreed at his birth.
How Djadja-em-ankh Saved the Day: a Tale from Ancient Egypt. translated from the original
Hieratic with illustrations and commentary by Lise Manniche. New York: Crowell, 1977, 18 p.
Third tale from Papyrus Westcar. Egyptian and English. Printed on a continuous sheet folded in
accordion style. A tale of a king and his magician in Egypt 4500 years ago.
The Mystery of the Pharaoh's Treasure. Janet Neavies. Lippincott, 1963.
Amuny, Boy of Old Egypt. Miriam Schlein. Abelard-Schuman, 1961. 159 p.
Boy of the Pyramids. Ruth Fosdick Jones. Random House, 1950.
For readers in the middle grades:
The Last Pharaoh. John Latimer. Thomas Nelson, 1970.
Scarab for Luck. Enid Meadowcroft. Crowell - Harper -Collins 1964.
Blossom Culp and the Sleep of Death. Richard Peck. Dell, 1987.
The Sycamore Warrior. John Schealer. Dutton 1960.
The Reluctant God. Pamela Service. Atheneum, 1988.
Flash, Dog of Old Egypt. Lynn Hall. Garrard, 1973.
Asterix and Cleopatra. Goscinny. 1965. Cartoon book. Silly but fun, including how the Sphinx lost
its nose. All young classical history enthusiasts should meet Asterix and Obelix.
Child of the Sun. Margaret Dulles. Boston: Beacon, 1939. 111 p. Akhenaten and Nefertiti.
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Young Adults – Fiction
The Moon in the Cloud; The Shadow on the Sun; The Bright and Morning Star. all by Rosemary
Harris. Faber and Faber (recent reprints).
Mara, Daughter of the Nile. Eloise McGraw. Puffin 1985.
The Lost Queen of Egypt. Lucille Morrison. Lippincott, 1937.
Shadow Hawk. Andre Norton. Harcourt Brace, 1960.
Honey of the Nile. Erick Berry. Oxford, 1940. 224 p. about Tut and his wife.
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Adult Fiction – Ancient Settings
Murder in the Place of Anubis. Lynda S. Robinson. NY: Walker, 1994. 190 p. First novel by this
author set at the end of the 18th dynasty (Amarna period).
Murder at the God's Gate. Lynda S. Robinson. NY: Walker, 1995. 236 p. Second title in the series.
Lord Menen, confidential advisor to King Tut, is on the case. Lots of clues and action.
City of the Horizon, Anton Gill, 1991. Criminal detective mystery in Amarna.
City of the Dreams, Anton Gill, 1993.
City of the Dead, Anton Gill.
A God Against the Gods. Allan Drury. Doubleday, 1976. 310 p. Akhenaten and Amarna.
Return to Thebes. Allen Drury. Doubleday, 1977. 272 p. Sequel to A God against the Gods,
including Tut and the end of Amarna.
Lady of the Reeds. Pauline Gedge. Farrar Straus & Giroux. 1995.
The Twelfth Transforming. Pauline Gedge. NY: Harper and Row, 1984. 407 p. Akhenaten and
Amarna. "beautifully written"
Mirage. Pauline Gedge. Nobleman succumbs to temptation of ancient curse. Plots relies on magic
of immense power. Rather a dark novel, with no relief. You can have my copy.
Child of the Morning. Pauline Gedge. NY: Dial Press, 1977. 403 p. Hatshepsut.
Her-bak, The Living Face of Ancient Egypt. Isha Schwaller de Lubicz. Inner Traditions, 1978
(reprint). 344 p. Excellent, following a boy's initial education in nature and various crafts and his
later introduction to the outer temple.
Her-bak, Egyptian Initiate. Isha Schwaller de Lubicz. Inner Traditions, 1978 (reprint). 396 p.
Continues the life of Her-bak and the teachings of the Inner Temple.
King of the Two Lands. Jacquetta Hawkes. NY: Random House, 1966. 288 p. Amarna again.
On a Balcony. David Stacton. NY: House and Maxwell, 1959. 256 p. Amarna, again, alas.
Nefertiti Lived here. Mary A. Chubb. London, 1954. "an amusing and partly fictional book" on
work at Amarna.
The Egyptian. Mika Waltari. NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1949. More Amarna period.
Prince of Egypt. Dorothy Wilson. 1947. The story used for deMille's second film of "The Ten
Commandments," the big one.
Death Comes as the End. Agatha Christie. Dodd Mead, 1944. The Egyptian setting of the XI
Dynasty is correct. This is based on a real family of the Middle Kingdom, headed by the elderly
priest Hekanakhte whose papers have survived by chance to the present day (see translations by
T.J.H. James listed under hieroglyphs). Unfortunately not one of Christie's best stories.
If you read French, try to find the novels of Christian Jacq.
The following four novels and a collection of short stories by Joan Grant are strong on the spiritual
or mystical angle. Some obvious errors of fact are used to promote the plots, such as chariots in the
First Dynasty, but the atmosphere is very believable, and the writing is excellent. For some these
novels will be very appealing; for others the historical errors and mystical elements may be a
disincentive. All are still in print by a specialty publisher, from your bookstore.
Winged Pharaoh, by Joan Grant. New York, London: Harper & Brothers, 1938. 382 p. First
Dynasty period novel; very effective spiritual atmosphere; main character is a woman.
Eyes of Horus, Joan Grant 1942. (Dynasty XI)
Lord of the Horizon, by Joan Grant. London: Methuen & Co., 1943. 291p. Amenemhat I period
(Dynasty XI; continuation of preceding?)
So Moses was Born. Joan Grant 1952. (Dynasty XVI)
The Scarlet Fish and Other Stories. Joan Grant 1942. Short stories with a moral.
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Modern Settings
The Bat Flies Low. Sax Rohmer. NY: Burt, 1935. 314 p. Murder mystery involving ancient cult.
The Tragedy of the Korosko. A. Conan Doyle. 1898; reprinted by Gaslight Publications 1990. A
party of British and American tourists, traveling on the Nile boat Korosko, are kidnapped by rebels
against the government, and the army turns out in pursuit. Sound familiar? (Sherlock Holmes does
not appear in this story.)
The Amelia Peabody mysteries:
The Crocodile on the Sandbank, 1975. 262 p.
The Curse of the Pharaohs. 1981. 285 p.
The Mummy Case, 1985. 313 p.
The Lion in the Valley. 310 p.
The Deeds of the Disturber. 1988. 289 p.
The Last Camel Died at Noon, 1991. 430 p.
The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog. 1993.
All by "Elizabeth Peters," a pseudonym for Barbara Mertz who earned a Ph.D. in Egyptology from
the Oriental Institute, and who appears under her own name several times in this bibliography.
These mystery and adventure novels describe the very progressive, opinionated and regrettably
fictional Victorian English Egyptologist Amelia Peabody Emerson, her husband Radcliffe
Emerson and her son Ramses. The setting, excavations, and historical archeologists who make
brief appearances are quite correct. ("The Last Camel" has a really far-fetched plot, though it is
based on an actual legend of a lost oasis; kind of a Rider Haggard African story. The others are not
quite so improbable.) These combine real understanding of Egyptian history and excavations, with
good yarns, funny dialog, and lively perceptions about the war between the sexes. See if you can
note where Amelia and Emerson almost find Tut's tomb, by accident, twenty years before Carter.
Probably best if read in order, but try any one to get started.
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Science Fiction
The high-tech Manuscripts of the Richards’ Trust series are about a university Egyptologist who is
also a temporal field agent. The ESS author includes lots of valuable historical details along with
extraterrestrials and international intrigue.
Bow Tie. The First Manuscript of the Richards’ Trust. W.J. Cherf. Createspace, 2011.
Recovery. The Second Manuscript of the Richards’ Trust. W.J. Cherf. Foxbat Publishing, 2011.
Children of Ptah. The Third Manuscript of the Richards’ Trust. W.J. Cherf. Foxbat Publishing,
2011.
Imhotep. The Fourth Manuscript of the Richards’ Trust. W.J. Cherf. Foxbat Publishing, 2013.
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Coinage
Contributed by Ted M. Snook
Coinage was not minted in ancient Egypt until the Ptolemaic period. The Ptolemaic Egyptian coins
are some of the finest from the ancient world; beautiful objects to see indeed.
Back to Contents
Ptolemaic Kings: 336 to 30 BC
The Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, vol. 8., SNG Copenhagen. Kromann & Morkholm,
Sunrise Publications Inc., reprint of 1982. 31 p. "premier reference."
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum Italia Milano, Vol. XIII, Comune di Milano, 1989. 146 p. Written
in Italian but not too difficult to use; excellent cross reference with SNG Copenhagen, listed
above.
Greek Coins and Their values, Vol II. Asia & Africa. David Sear, Seaby Publ., 1979. Best general
overview, limited in scope, excellent introduction & history section; well illustrated.
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Roman Egypt: AD 14 to 305
Katalog Alexandrinischer Kaisermunzen der Sammlung. Angelo Geissen, Univ. Koln,
WestDeutcher Verlag, 1983. 5 vols. Premier reference, written in German but very usable with the
aid of a German dictionary and a little patience. Fully and beautifully illustrated.
Catalog of Alexandrian Coins. J. G. Milne. Univ. of Oxford Ashmolean Museum, 1971. reprinted
by Spink and Son Ltd. Excellent introduction to Roman Egyptian coins, though somewhat dated.
Tetradrachms of Roman Egypt. James W. Curtis. Durst Pub. reprinted 1990 with six additional
supplements. Most complete reference on tetradrachms; supplements well illustrated.
Roman Coins and their values. David Sear. Seaby Pub., revised 1971. Excellent introduction and
history of Roman Alexandrian coinage; limited in scope; well illustrated.
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Conservation of Artifacts
In the Tomb of Nefertari: Conservation of the wall paintings. Malibu, Calif.: Bianchi and
McDonald, J. Paul Getty Museum and The Getty Conservation Institute, 1992. 88 p.
Art and Eternity: the Nefertari wall paintings Conservation Project, 1986-1992 Miguel Angel
Corzo and Mahasti Afshar, editors. [Santa Monica, Calif.]: J. Paul Getty Trust, 1993. "A joint
project of the Getty Conservation Institute and the Egyptian Antiquities Organization."
Wall Paintings of the Tomb of Nefertari: scientific studies for their conservation: first progress
report, July, 1987: a joint project of the Egyptian Antiquities Organization and the Getty
Conservation Institute. Cairo, Egypt; Century City, Calif., The Institute, 1987. Special publication
of the Annales du Service des Antiquites de l'Egypte. prefatory matter in Arabic and English.
The Conservation of Ancient Egyptian Materials, Watkins and Browne, eds. 1988.
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Chronology
Chronology of the Ancient World. E.J. Bickerman. 2nd ed. Cornell University Press: Ithaca, 1982.
Good source for Egypt and its relations with the rest of the Mediterranean Basin.
Relative Chronologies in Old World Archaeology. Robert W. Ehrich, ed. University of Chicago
Press: Chicago, 1954. Still important.
Chronologies in Old World Archaeology. Robert W. Ehrich. Ed. University of Chicago Press:
Chicago, 1965. Still important.
A Test of Time. David Rohl. London: Century, 1994. Rohl presents evidence that he claims shows
that the Third Intermediate Period, which is used to establish dates in the Holy Land, actually in
error by some 200 years. His evidence purports to have the 21-24 dynasties of Egypt overlapping
in their reigns. Using original evidence, he presents a case for re-computing the ties between the
pharaohs of Egypt and the rulers of the Biblical lands.
Centuries of Darkness: A Challenge to the Conventional Chronology of Old World Archaeology.
Peter James. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 1993. James tries to discover why the near
eastern part of the Mediterranean seems to have many cultures that have centuries of unexplained
darkness. His conclusions are that these civilizations are improperly dated due to an error in
Egyptian chronology that can be explained by contemporaneous rule of the 21-24 Dynasties,
which moves up the Old through New Kingdoms some 300 years, supposedly removing the
"centuries of darkness."
Egyptian Chronology, E. Wente et al., Oriental Institute University of Chicago, 1976.
The Late New Kingdom in Egypt (1300-664 B.C.) A Genealogical and Chronological
Investigation. M. L. Bierbrier. School of Archaeology and Oriental Studies. University of
Liverpool, Aris and Phillips, 1975. [DMNS Lib.]
Chronicles of the Pharaohs. The Reign-by-Reign Record of the Rulers and Dynasties of Ancient
Egypt. Peter A. Clayton. Thames & Hudson: London, 1994. Great source for quick information on
a particular pharaoh. A good starting point for deeper research.
The Royal Canon of Turin. Alan. H. Gardiner. Oxford: Griffith Institute, 1959. 20 p. 9 plates.
Important list of Kings.
History and Chronology of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt. Donald B. Redford. University of
Toronto Press, 1967. 235 p. Seven studies plus appendices on the chronology of the dynasty.
Serious study by one of the best of the period.
The Reigns of the Ptolemies. Theodore Cressy Skeat. 2nd ed. Bech’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung:
Munich, 1969. Vital source on the chronology of the Ptolemies.
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Daily Life in Ancient Egypt
Life in Ancient Egypt and Assyria. G. Maspero. Appleton and Company: New York, 1926.
Life in Ancient Egypt. Adolf Erman. Trans. By H.M. Tirard. MacMillan and Company: London,
1894. Dated, but interesting for comparison purposes.
Life of the Ancient Egyptians. Eugen Strouhal; with photographs by Werner Forman; foreword by
Geoffrey T. Martin; [translated by Deryck Viney]. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1992.
279 p. (200 color illus., 90 black-and-white). The author is an anthropologist and archeologist.
Color photos of Egyptian art or antiquities illustrate most every page. Very good for topic.
Travel in the Ancient World. Lionel Casson. Johns Hopkins U. Press, 1994. 391 p.
Egypt: Ancient culture, Modern land. Jaromir Malek, ed. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press.
1993. 192 p. ancient and modern life
The Cat in Ancient Egypt. Jaromir Malek. London: British Museum Press, 1993. 144p. By an
accomplished scholar and writer, and one supposes, a cat lover.
The Ancient Egyptians: Life in the Nile Valley. Viviane Koenig; illustrations by Veronique
Ageorges; translated by Mary Kae LaRose. Brookfield, Conn. Millbrook Press, 1992. 64 p.
Peoples of the past Translation of: Au Bord du Nil. Originally published Paris Editions Nathan,
1990.
Sports and Games of Ancient Egypt. Wolfgang Decker; translated by Allen Guttmann. New
Haven Yale University Press, 1992. 212 p.
Fish and Fishing in Ancient Egypt. Douglas J. Brewer, Renee F. Friedman. Warminster, England:
Aris & Phillips, 1989. 109 p. The Natural history of Egypt; v. 2 [what is vol 1?]
Ancient Egyptian Society. David O'Connor. Pittsburgh, PA: Carnegie Museum of Natural History,
1990. 40 p.
Egyptian Life, Miriam Stead, British Museum, 1989. 72p. [DMNS Lib.] All objects are in the
British Museum.
Egyptian Civilization: Daily Life, Anna Maria Donadoni Roveri, Electra (Milan), 1987.
Shire Egyptology Series, "written by experts for the student." Shire Publications Ltd., Cromwell
House, Church Street, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire HP179AJ England. (All in DMNS
Library):
1. Mummies. Barbara Adams. 2. Gods and Myths. Angela Thomas. 3. Painting and Relief. Gay
Robins. 4. Textiles. Rosalind Hall. 5. Pottery. Colin Hope. 6. Pyramids and Mastaba Tombs. Philip
Wilson. 7. Predynastic Egypt. Barbara Adams. 8. Towns and Cities. Eric Uphill. 9. Food and
Drink. Hilary Wilson. 10. Akhenaten's Egypt, Angela Thomas. 11. Coffins. John Taylor. 12.
Household Animals Rosalind and Jack Janssen. 13. Metalworking and Tools. Bernd Scheel. 14.
Rock-cut tombs. Aidan Dodson. 15. Medicine. Carole Reeves. 16. Warfare and Weapons. Ian
Shaw. 17. Graeco-Roman Egypt. Simon Ellis. 18. Faience and Glass and 3 more new ones.
Ancient Lives: Daily Life in Egypt of the Pharaohs John Romer. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston,
1984. 235 p. Surprisingly different from his excellent PBS series of the same name; more detailed
and refined. Valley of the Kings workmen's village.
Pharaoh's People: Scenes from Life in Imperial Egypt, T.G.H. James, Bodley Head, London;
University of Chicago 1984. Vizier, judge, scribe, craftsman and others portrayed in detail.
[DMNS Lib.]
People of the Nile: Everyday Life in Ancient Egypt. John Romer. New York: Crown, 1982. 224 p.
Informed, concise, lots of fine color photographs, and pleasant to read.
Egypt's Golden Age: The Art of Living in the New Kingdom 1558-1085 B.C. Exhibit Catalog.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. 1982.
Everyday Life in Egypt in the Days of Ramesses the Great, Pierre Montet, Philadelphia:
University of Pennsylvania, 1981. [DMNS Lib.]
Ancient Egyptian Furniture. Geoffrey Killen. Warminster, Eng.: Aris & Phillips, 1980.
Ancient Egyptian Mirrors: from the earliest times through the Middle Kingdom. Christine
Lilyquist. Munchen; Berlin: Deutscher Kunstverlag, 1979. illus. A revision of the author's thesis,
New York University.
Red Land, Black Land: Daily Life in Ancient Egypt. Barbara Michaels (Barbara Mertz). Rev. ed.
New York: Dodd, Mead, 1978. 385 p.
Horizon Book of Daily Life in Ancient Egypt, Lionel Casson, McGraw, 1975.
Travel in the Ancient World. Lionel Casson. London: Allen and Unwin, 1974.
Ancient Egyptian Dances. Irena Lexova; with drawings made from reproductions of ancient
Egyptian originals by Milada Lexova; Brooklyn, N.Y.: Dance Horizons, [1974?] 95 p.
Sport in Ancient Egypt. A.D. Touny, Steffen Wenig. Leipzig: Edition Leipzig, 1969. 189 p.
Thebes in the time of Amenhotep III, Elizabeth Riesfstahl, Univ. Oklahoma, 1964. Well written,
with a few illustrations.
Models of Daily Life in Ancient Egypt, from the Tomb of Meket-Re at Thebes. Herbert Eustis
Winlock, Cambridge, Published for the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Harvard University Press,
1955.106 p. Publications of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Egyptian Expedition, v. 18
The Scepter of Egypt, 2 vols., W.C. Hayes, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1953; Cambridge 1959;
New York 1990. "Good survey of material culture." [DMNS Lib.]
The Home Life of the Ancient Egyptians. Nora Scott. New York, 1947. [DMNS Lib.]
Toilet articles from Ancient Egypt, from the Charles Edwin Wilbour Memorial collection in the
Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn Museum, 1943. 14p.
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Exhibit Catalogs & Museum Guides
Egypt's Dazzling Sun: Amenhotep III and his World. Arielle P. Kozloff, Betsy M. Bryan, and
Lawrence Berman, Indiana University, 1992. 580 p. 565 illus. This period considered by some to
be the golden age of Egyptian art. [DMNS Lib.] Also other publishers for this traveling exhibit.
In the Tomb of Nefertari: Conservation of the wall paintings. Malibu, Calif. J. Paul Getty
Museum, 1992. 88 p. "Published on the occasion of an exhibition at the J. Paul Getty Museum,
Malibu, November 12, 1992-February 21, 1993."
Egypt and Nubia, John Taylor, British Museum, 1991. For a new permanent exhibit.
Reflections of greatness: Ancient Egypt at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Diana Craig
Patch. Pittsburgh, Pa.: The Museum, 1990. 118 p.
Ancient Egyptian Art in the Brooklyn Museum. Richard A. Fazzini et al. Brooklyn, N.Y.: The
Brooklyn Museum and Thames and Hudson, 1989.
Mummies and Magic The Funerary Arts of Ancient Egypt. Sue D'Auria, Peter Lacovara, and
Catherine H. Roehrig. Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, 1988. 276 p. Very detailed catalog for an
exhibit from Boston in Dallas 1990-2000.
Beyond the Pyramids: Egyptian Regional Art from the Museo Egizio, Turin. Gay Robins, ed. 96
pp. 54 color plates, 100 b&w photos. From the First Intermediate Period and Middle Kingdom.
Includes important essays on the period.
Pharaohs and Mortals: Egyptian art in the Middle Kingdom. catalogue by Janine Bourriau; with a
contribution by Stephen Quirke. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press; Cambridge
Fitzwilliam Museum, 1988. 167 p. Exhibition organized by the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
1988. "This is an excellent treatise on Middle Kingdom art, which seeks to weave the art of the
period into the historical development of the Middle Kingdom."
Through Ancient Eyes: Egyptian portraiture: an exhibition organized for the Birmingham Museum
of Art, Birmingham, Alabama, April 21-July 31, 1988. by Donald Spanel. 159 p.
Ramses II: The Great Pharaoh and His Time, Rita Freed, Denver Museum of Natural History,
1987. [DMNS Lib.]
The Egypt of the Pharaohs at the Cairo Museum, Jean Pierre Corteggiana, Scala, 1987, 191 p. The
pieces in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.
Official Catalog of the Egyptian Museum Cairo, Mohamed Saleh and Hourig Sourouzian, PrestelVerlag, 1987, 268 p.
Egyptian Sculpture, T.J.H. James and W. V. Davies, Harvard University Press, 1983. 72 p. Survey
of the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery of the British Museum.
Egypt's Golden Age: The Art of Living in the New Kingdom 1558-1085 B.C. Exhibit Catalog.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. 1982.
The British Museum and Ancient Egypt, T. G. H. James, London 1981.
Africa in antiquity: the arts of ancient Nubia and the Sudan. Brooklyn, N.Y.: Brooklyn Museum,
1978. 2 v. Catalog of the exhibition held at the Brooklyn Museum, September 30-December 31,
1978.
Treasures of Tutankhamun. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1974. The Tut exhibition
catalog has beautiful photographs and good text, if you can find a used copy.
Ancient Hierakonpolis. Barbara Adams; with an introd. by H. S. Smith. Warminster, Eng., Aris &
Phillips, 1974. 87 p. Catalogue of objects in the Petrie Collection in the Dept. of Egyptology,
University College London.
Akhenaten and Nefertiti. Cyril Aldred. Viking 1973. 231 p. Exhibition catalog of 175 items. "One
of the best books on the subject."
Egyptian Museum, Cairo. Sergio Donadoni. NY: Newsweek, 1969. 173 p. 135 Color photos of the
best pieces.
Ancient Egypt as represented in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. William Stevenson Smith,
curator of Egyptian art. 4th ed., fully revised. Boston, 1960 215 p.
Egyptian Sculpture of the Late Period, 700 B.C. to 100 A.D. B. V. Bothmer. New York: Brooklyn
Museum, 1960. Exhibit catalog.
The Scepter of Egypt, 2 vols., W.C. Hayes, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1953; Cambridge 1959;
New York 1990. History as illustrated by art, household objects, etc., from the Met collection.
Also an excellent catalog of the Met's Egyptian collection. "Dated info, but good survey of
material culture." [DMNS Lib.]
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Exploration & Excavations in Egypt, & Early Travels
Cities in the Delta II. Mendes. Preliminary Report on the 1979 and 1980 Seasons. Karen Wilson.
Undena Publications: Malibu, California, 1982.
Cities of the Delta III. Tell El-Maskhuta. Preliminary Report on the Wadi Tumilat Project 19781979. Undena Publications: Malibu, California, 1982. Archaeological report.
Discovering Ancient Egypt. Rosalie David. New York, N.Y.: Facts on File Publications, 1993. 192
pages. Ms. David is an authority on Egypt.
River in the Desert: Modern travels in ancient Egypt. Paul William Roberts. New York: Random
House, 1993. 394 p.
The Search for Ancient Egypt, Jean Vercoutter, 207 p., Abrams 1992; Thames and Hudson 1992.
208 p. Small paperback but excellent color illustrations from nineteenth century accounts of
discoveries and travels. Vercoutter, a French Academician, worked in Egypt.
The Monuments of Egypt: The Napoleonic Edition. Charles Gillespie and Michel Dewachter, eds.
NY: Princeton Architectural Press, ca. 1990. [DMNS Lib.]
The First Hundred Years: Egyptology at University College London 1892 - 1992, R. Jansen, UCL,
1992.
The Rape of the Nile: Tomb Robbers, Tourists, and Archaeologists. Brian M. Fagan. NY:
Scribners, 1975; revised 1992. 407 p. "... a lively account of those who ventured in Egypt - from
the ancients themselves to the flamboyant plunderers of the 19th century." "fascinating"
The Golden Age of Travel 1880-1939. Alexis Gregory. New York: Rizzoli, 1991. The chapter
"Egypt" has good illustrations, including a picnic lunch in a tomb with servants and Champagne.
The Discovery of Egypt, Fernand Beaucour, Flammarion, 272 p., ca. 1990. Napoleon to the
founding of the Egyptian Museum of Cairo.
Excavating in Egypt - The Egypt Exploration Society, 1882 - 1982, T.G.H. James, editor,
University of Chicago, 1983. many historical photos. The works of this important organization
after its first one hundred years. [DMNS Lib.]
The Rediscovery of Ancient Egypt: artists and travellers in the 19th century. Peter A. Clayton.
London Thames and Hudson, 1982. 192 p. [DMNS Lib.]
The British Museum and Ancient Egypt, T. G. H. James, London 1981.
Excavating in Egypt. Herbert Winlock. New York: Metropolitan Museum, 1975.
Who Was Who in Egyptology, W. Dawson and E. P. Uphill, Egyptian Exploration Society
London, 1972. Does not include workers living in 1969.
Thousands of Years; an Archaeologist's Search for Ancient Egypt. John A. Wilson. New York,
Scribner 1972 218 p.
The Genesis of British Egyptology 1549 - 1906. John David Wortham. Oklahoma, 1971.
A History of Egyptian Archeology, Fred Bratton, Crowell, 1968.
Gods, Graves, and Scholars. C. W. Ceram. Alfred Knopf, 2nd ed., 1967. 441 p. 125 pages on
Egypt.
The Discovery of Egypt, Leslie Greener, Viking, New York, 1967; Marlboro 1990.
Signs and Wonders upon Pharaoh, John Wilson, University of Chicago, 1964. An excellent history
of archaeology in Egypt, with emphasis on American workers. Very good annotated bibliography.
The World of the Past. Jacquetta Hawkes. 2 vols. Alfred Knopf, 1963. Essays and accounts by
excavators and scholars. "The Egyptian World" is in volume 1.
The Egyptian Department and Its Excavations. Dows Dunham. Boston: Museum of Fine Arts.
1958. 151 p.
Tombs, Temples & Ancient Art. Joseph Lindon Smith. Norman: University of Oklahoma, 1956.
Tanis, douze annees de fouilles dans une capitale oubliee du delta egyptien. Pierre Montet. Paris,
1942. Montet, not Indiana Jones, excavated Tanis.
Travels in Egypt 1880-1891: Letters of Charles Wilbour, Jean Capart, ed. Brooklyn Museum,
1936.
The Glory of the Pharaohs. A. E. P. B. Weigall. New York, 1933.
Seventy Years in Archaeology, W. M. Flinders Petrie, New York, H. Holt and Company 1932.
Reminiscences. A. H. Sayce. London, 1923.
Methods & Aims in Archaeology. W. M. Flinders Petrie, New York, B. Blom, 1972. 208 p.
Reprint of the 1904 edition.
Narrative of the Operations and Recent Discoveries within the Pyramids, Temples, Tombs, etc.,
Giovanni Battista Belzoni, John Murray, London, 1822, 2 volumes.
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Films: Documentary
With the rapid growth of cable television in the past three years, this section is now missing the
recent programs.
"The Face of Tutankhamun" five part BBC series on TutAnkhAmun's artifacts. For sale, in
somewhat reduced length, in US. Some weaknesses typical of popular television productions.
1992.
"This Old Pyramid" PBS television 1992. Egyptologist Mark Lehner, a leader of the Giza Plateau
Mapping Project, talks about the Pyramids and oversees construction of small replica pyramid to
test some plausible construction ideas. Fun, informative, and believable. 90 minutes. on videotape
"Scenes from the Excavation of King TutAnkhAmen's Tomb" New York: Metropolitan Museum
of Art. Silent b&w cinema footage by the MMA's photographer Harry Burton. Not yet for sale.
"Egypt The Habit of Civilization" by Michael Wood. Part of the PBS "Legacy” television series.
Maryland Public Television and Central Independent Television; New York: Ambrose Video
Publishing, 1991 57 min. Overview of Egypt from ancient times until the Muslim takeover, with
focus on religion. Wood sees living links connecting ancient Egypt to modern culture, especially
in religious ideas and practices. Very effectively presented.
"Legend of the Nile," Denver Museum of Natural History, 1988.
"Pyramid" narrated by David MacCauley, PBS television special, 1988. One hour. Inspired by
MacCauley's book "Pyramid," this includes footage of MacCauley on-site explaining the pyramids
and an animated story of the building of The Great Pyramid. Aside from the speculative court
intrigue in the animated part, most everything here is correct or possibly so, as far as we can tell.
"Ancient Lives" a five-part PBS television series for PBS by John Romer (his books are listed
above under Daily Life), circa 1984. Very good; uses the worker's village of Dier El Medina as a
starting point for several topics about daily life and history in the late New Kingdom. Has a charm
I find very appealing. Warning: This is a dangerous program; it may make you want to become an
Egyptologist. You may spend excessive time reading about a vanished civilization and end up
poking around desert valleys west of Thebes. Don't forget to wear a hat, to leave outside holes
which you crawl into.
"In the Beginning," written and narrated by Kenneth Clark, 1976, a British work financed by
Readers Digest. The best general overview of ancient Egypt on film. 58 minutes. Clark one of the
top art historians of his generation, who made the BBC "Civilisation" program.
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Hieroglyphs & the Egyptian Philology - Basic Books
A brief introduction to this topic gives you basic ideas and some common written phrases. Beyond
that you discover you are learning an ancient and forgotten language along with a writing system.
Hieroglyphs are not picture writing, and there were two other scripts used to write Egyptian. The
first book listed here is generally regarded as the best introductory book for adults.
The first four books listed here are recommended by Bob Hanawalt of the ESS as ones suitable for
a serious student of hieroglyphs. Students not able to attend ESS classes may take a course of
instruction in hieroglyphs by mail from the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago.
Hieroglyphs without Mystery, Karl-Theodor Zauzich, Austin: University of Texas, 1992. 121
pages. One of the best introductions. German original edition 1980.
Egyptian Grammar, Alan Gardiner, Aris and Phillips, 3rd ed., 1982. 682 p. "The bible of
hieroglyphs." This is used in beginning and graduate courses on hieroglyphs. Useful introductory
material on several topics for beginners here, too.
Concise Dictionary of Middle Egyptian, Raymond Faulkner, Oxford, 1988. "A required text for
any serious hieroglyph study." A dictionary of hieroglyphs: look up what hieroglyphs mean.
English/Egyptian Index of Faulkner's Concise Dictionary of Middle Egyptian. David Shennum.
Malibu, California: Undena Press. Egyptian hieroglyph equivalents to English words listed
alphabetically; the reverse of the order in Faulkner's book. Sold by the Oriental Institute, Chicago.
The Story of Writing, Alphabets, Hieroglyphs and Pictographs. Andrew Robinson.[1995?] 224 p.
Middle Egyptian. John B. Callender. Undena Publications: Malibu, California, 1975.
An Outline of Middle Egyptian Grammar. For Use in Academic Instruction. Helmut Brunner.
Trans. Boyo Ockinga. Graz, 1979. Another method or alternative to Gardiner’s approach.
Mittelägyptisch Grammatik für Anfänger. Erhart Graefe. 5th ed. Harrassowitz Verlag: Weisbaden,
1997. Another approach to Middle Egyptian for beginners.
Ancient Egyptian Language. Easy Lessons in Egyptian Hieroglyphics with Sign List. E.A. Wallis
Budge. 8th ed. London, 1966.
Papyrus. Richard Parkinson and Stephen Quirke. Austin: University of Texas, 1995. 96 p. many
illustrations.
Hieroglyphs from A to Z: A Rhyming book with ancient Egyptian stencils for kids. Peter Der
Manuelian. Boston: Museum of FIne Arts, 1991.
Egyptian Hieroglyphic Grammar. With Vocabularies, Exercises, Chrestomathy (A First-Reader),
Sign-List and Glossary. S.A.B. Mercer. London, 1926.
Who were the Pharaohs. Stephen Quirke. British Museum, 1990. 80 p. [US: Dover Publications].
Brief biography of prominent pharaohs; not children's book. Hieroglyph name of each is shown.
Ancient Egyptian Calligraphy A Beginners Guide to Writing Hieroglyphs, Henry G. Fischer,
Metropolitan Museum, NY, 1988. [DMNS Lib.]
How to read the names of the Pharaohs. Erika Scott. 1988. Pharaonic names and translations.
Reading the Past Egyptian Hieroglyphs, W. V. Davies, 1987, University of California, 64 pages.
Good introduction; leaves you wanting more.
Introducing Egyptian Hieroglyphs, and, More About Egyptian Hieroglyphs. Barbara Watterson,
Scottish Academic Press 1987. Good introduction to both the signs and to Egyptian grammar, an
unusual feature for introductory books on hieroglyphs.
The Sons of Re: Cartouches of the Kings of Egypt, John Rose, Deanprint Limited U.K., 1985. The
kings, and their names in hieroglyphs.
Forgotten Scripts: Their Ongoing Discovery and Decipherment, Cyrus H. Gordon, Basic Books,
1982.
The Rosetta Stone, Carol Andrews, 62 p., British Museum, 1981; Peter Bendrick NY 1985. Brief,
good, adult level.
The Story of Decipherment, M. Pope, London, 1975.
Fun with Hieroglyphs, Catherine Roehrig, Metropolitan Museum of Art. A project kit for children
to use hieroglyphs to write English; includes 24 rubber stamps of the hieroglyphs which come
closest to being an alphabet. Since there are few hieroglyphs for vowel sounds, this is makebelieve, but fun. Good to stimulate children's interest.
Late Egyptian Grammar. Jaroslav Cerny, Sarah Israelit Groll, Christopher Eyre. 3rd ed. Biblical
Institute Press: Rome, 1984. The “bible” for anyone interested in learning late Egyptian.
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Philological Topics
See also books listed under Literature, below.
The Rosetta Stone. E.A. Wallis Budge. London, 1922. Translation and commentary on this key to
the decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphs.
The Predynastic Origin of Egyptian Hieroglyphs. Evidence for the Development of Rudimentary
Forms of Hieroglyphs in Upper Egypt in the Fourth Millennium B.C. William S. Arnett.
University Press of America: Washington, D.C., 1982.
Die Inscriften der ägyptischen Frühzeit III. Peter Kaplony. Weisbaden, 1963. Solid work on the
archaic script of the ancient Egyptians.
Egyptian Hieroglyphs of the First and Second Dynasties. Hilda U. Petrie. London, 1927. Dated,
but still important work on archaic ancient Egyptian.
The Egyptian Book of the Dead The Book of Going Forth by Day. translated by Raymond
Faulkner; preface by Carol Andrews. Chronicle Books. [1995] "The first authentic presentation of
the complete papyrus of Ani." The finest English translation of the text." Hieroglyphs and English
text side by side. Large format.
The Rhind Mathematical Papyrus. Gay Robins and Charles Shute. New York: Dover. 88 p.
Includes 24 color plates of the papyrus. Original in British Museum.
Before Writing, Denise Schmandt-Besserat, University of Texas, 700 pages, 1992.
The Epigraphic Survey Annual Report 1990-1991, Peter F. Dorman, The Oriental Institute. A
recent report from this decades-long undertaking to record ancient inscriptions.
Aspects of the military documents of the Ancient Egyptians. Anthony John Spalinger. New Haven
Yale University Press, 1982, 1983. 258 p.
The Name of the Dead: TutAnkhamun Translated, Hany Assaad, Bebben, 1979 "Excellent book
for hieroglyph students- doubles as a practical workbook."
The Palermo Stone and the Archaic Kings of Egypt. Patrick O'Mara. La Canada, CA: Paulette,
1979. [DMNS Lib.]
Ramesside Inscriptions. K. A. Kitchen. Oxford: Blackwell, 1979, 1980. 3 vols. transliteration of
all the principle texts relating to Ramesses II. "mammoth project" Vol II has 928 pages.
Kadesh Inscriptions of Ramesses II. A. H. Gardiner. Oxford: Griffith Institute, 1975. 65 p.
The Report of Wenamun. Hans Goedicke. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1975 vii,
192 p. Egyptian language papyri translated
The Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts, translated into English by R. O. Faulkner Oxford,
Clarendon Press, 1969. 88 p.
The Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts Supplement of Hieroglyphic Texts. R. O. Faulkner, Oxford,
Clarendon Press, 1969. 330 p.
Origins of the Book; Egypt's contribution to the development of the book from papyrus to codex
Mohamed A. Hussein. Translated by Dorothy Jaeschke and Douglas Sharp Greenwich, Conn.,
New York Graphic Society 1972. Translation of Vom Papyrus zum Codex: der Beitrag Ägyptens
zur Buchkultur.
The Hekanakhte Papers and other Early Middle Kingdom Documents. T.J.H. James. New York:
Metropolitan Museum, 1962.
Topographical Bibliography of Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphic Texts, Reliefs, and Paintings.
Bertha Porter and Rosalind Moss. Oxford: Griffith Institute, Ashmolean Museum. Including the
following titles:
Volume I part I. The Theban Necropolis Private Tombs. 520 p. 8 maps.
Volume I part II. The Theban Necropolis Royal Tombs and Smaller Cemeteries. 440 p. 20 maps.
Volume II. Theban Temples. 622 p. 49 maps and plans.
Volume III Part I. Memphis. Abu Rawash to Abusir. 422 p. 40 plans and maps.
Volume III part II. Memphis. Saqqara to Dahshur. 657 p. 36 maps and plans.
Volume IV. Lower and Middle Egypt. 320 p. 33 plans, 6 maps.
Volume V. Upper Egypt Sites. 315 p. 32 plans. 4 maps.
Volume VI. Upper Egypt Chief Temples. 283 p. 40 plans.
Volume VII. Nubia, The Deserts, and Outside Egypt. 488 p. 63 plans, 8 maps.
Wörterbuch der ägyptischen Sprache. 3rd ed. Vols. 1-7. Belegstellen Vol.1-5. Adolf Erman and
Hermann Grapow. Berlin, 1982. Dated, but indispensible dictionary of the Egyptian language.
Must be used in conjunction with more recent dictionaries, like the next entry.
Die Sprache der Pharaonen. Großes Handwörterbuch Ägyptisch-Deutsch (2800-950 v. Chr.).
Rainer Hannig. Philipp von Zabern: Mainz, 1995. Most up-to-date Egyptian-German dictionary.
Use with the above source for in depth analysis.
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Histories – General Histories of Ancient Egypt
(See also the first section of the Reader's Guide: "General Accounts of Ancient Egypt")
A History of Ancient Egypt. Nicolas Grimal; translated by Ian Shaw. Oxford, UK; Cambridge,
Mass.: Blackwell, 1992. 512 p. Translation of: Histoire de l'Egypte Ancienne. The latest history of
ancient Egypt, including recent data on field work. Excellent bibliography, approximately 80
pages.
Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times, Donald B. Redford, Princeton 1992. Best current
survey of Egyptian foreign relations with Syria-Palestine and Mesopotamia, although the part on
the origin of the Israelites is rather speculative. Very dense, but well documented and readable.
Ancient Nubia: Egypt's Rival in Africa. David O'Connor, Philadelphia: The University Museum,
University of Pennsylvania, 1994. 224 p. Bronze Age through Christian era.
Nubia, Ancient Kingdoms of Africa, Joyce L. Haynes, Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, 64 p. 1992.
Egypt and Africa: Nubia from Prehistory to Islam, ed. W. V. Davies, British Museum, 320 p.,
1991. Thirty essays on Nubian archaeology.
A Short History of Ancient Egypt. David O'Connor. Pittsburgh, PA: Carnegie Museum of Natural
History, 1990. 40 p. very short!
The Egyptian Kingdoms, Rosalie David, Peter Bendrick, 1988.
Ancient Egypt: the Land and its Legacy. T.G.H. James. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press,
1988. 223 p. Profiles of nine key locations with photos of both artifacts and the modern setting.
Ancient Egypt: A Social History. Bruce Trigger, Barry Kemp, David O'Connor, Alan Lloyd.
Cambridge University, 1983. 450 p. four top researchers work together.
Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs: a Popular history of Ancient Egypt. Barbara Michaels (Barbara
Mertz). Rev. ed. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1978. 335 p.
The Cambridge Ancient History, third edition, editors I.E.S. Edwards and others, volumes I-II,
1970; reprinted 1974, 1976, 1980. A different author for several phases of Egyptian history, each
an authority in his area.
Egypt of the Pharaohs, Sir Alan Gardiner, Oxford 1960; 1966. 460p. A little dry, but by an expert
on Egypt and hieroglyphs. "classic authoritative work." Includes translations of several important
texts. [DMNS Lib.]
The Scepter of Egypt, 2 vols., W.C. Hayes, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1953; Cambridge 1959;
New York 1990. History as illustrated by art, household objects, etc., from the Met collection.
[DMNS Lib.]
The Culture of Ancient Egypt. John Wilson. University of Chicago, 1951. hardback title The
Burden of Egypt. "thoughtful, urbanely written, an intellectual history and a fine one" [DMNS
Lib.]
A History of Egypt, from the earliest times to the Persian conquest. James Henry Breasted. Fully
rev. New York, Scribner's Sons, 1905, 1937. 634 p. 2nd. edition Scribner's 1948; Bantam, 1967.
This was a basic work for decades. Comprehensive, though now 50 years behind times.
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Predynastic & Old Kingdom
Famines in the Early History of Egypt and Syro-Palestine. William Henry Shea. PhD. Dissertation.
University of Michigan. University Microfilms International: Ann Arbor, MI, 1976.
The Unification of Egypt. Ronald T. Ridley. Shield Press: Deception Bay, Australia, 1973.
Concise summation of the evidence with many pictures and illustrations.
The Egyptian Administration in the Old Kingdom. Evidence on its Economic Decline. Naguib
Kanawati. Aris & Phillips: Warminster, 1977.
The Prehistory of the Nile Valley. William S. Arkell. Brill: Leiden, 1975. Key source on the tool
cultures of the early Nile Valley.
Early Egypt The Rise of Civilisation in the Nile Valley. A. J. Spencer. British Museum. 128 p.
Egypt's Making: the Origins of Ancient Egypt 5000-2000 BC. Michael Rice. London; New York:
Routledge, 1990. 322 p. Many illustrations; also a chapter on Carl Jung's ideas on Egypt.
"The Evolution of Early Egyptian Civilization: Issues and Evidence," R. J. Wenke, Journal of
World Prehistory, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 279-329, 1991. "Features an excellent bibliography."
Predynastic Egypt, Barbara Adams. Shire, 1988. 90 p.
The Duties of the Vizier: Civil Administration in the Early New Kingdom. G.P.F. van den Boorn.
London: Kegan Paul, 1988. 399 p.
"The Predynastic of Egypt," F.A. Hassan, Journal of World Prehistory, vol. 2, pp. 135-172, 1988.
In the Shadow of the Pyramids: Egypt during the Old Kingdom, Jaromir Malek and Werner
Forman, Oklahoma, 1986. 128p. 120 color plates. Excellent text and superb photography.
The Administration of Egypt in the Old Kingdom: the highest titles and their holders. Nigel
Strudwick. London; Boston: KPI, 1985. 366 p.
The Administration of Egypt in the Old Kingdom. N Strudwick. London: Kegan Paul, 1985.
An Historical Bibliography of Egyptian Prehistory. Kent Weeks. Am. Research Center in Egypt,
no. 6. 1985. 138 p.
Governmental Reforms in Old Kingdom Egypt. Naguib Kanawati. Warminster, Eng.: Aris &
Phillips, 1980. 163 p.
Egypt Before the Pharaohs, Michael A. Hoffman, 1979, 1984, 1990 University of Texas. "Very
readable."
The Palermo Stone and the Archaic Kings of Egypt. Patrick O'Mara. La Canada, CA: Paulette,
1979. [DMNS Lib.]
Ancient Hierakonoplis, and, Ancient Hierakonoplis Supplement, B. Adams, Aris and Phillips,
1974.
Early Hydraulic Civilization in Egypt, K. Butzer University of Chicago, 1976. Detailed discussion
of population estimates are still used.
The Cambridge Ancient History, third edition, editors I.E.S. Edwards and others, volumes I-II,
1970; reprinted 1974, 1976, 1980. A different author for several phases of Egyptian history, each
an authority in his area.
Ancient Egyptian Literature A Book of Readings. 3 vols. Miriam Lichtheim, ed. Univ. Calif, 1973,
1976, 1980. Volume I covers Old and Middle Kingdoms.
Most Ancient Egypt, W.C. Hayes, Univ. Chicago, 1965. [DMNS Lib.]
Egypt to the End of the Old Kingdom, Cyril Aldred, 143 p., 136 illus. (41 color), Thames and
Hudson, 1965, 1984. "The best sort of introduction to the period for the general reader. The text is
accurate and stimulating." - Journal of Egyptian Archeology.
The Old Kingdom in Egypt and the First Intermediate Period. Wm. Stevenson Smith. Cambridge
University Press, 1962. 72p. from The Cambridge Ancient History.
Archaic Egypt. W. B. Emery. Pelican, 1961, 1985. Dynasties I - II; Still in print.
Memphis: The City of the White Wall. M. T. Dimick. (U. Penn?), 1956. 29 p.
A History of Egyptian Sculpture and Painting in the Old Kingdom. William Stevenson Smith.
Oxford, 1949 2nd ed., 422p. Rare and expensive to buy.
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Middle Kingdom, First & Second Intermediate Periods
The Second Stela of Kamose and His Struggle Against the Hyksos Ruler and His Capital. Labib
Habachi. Verlag J.J. Augustin: Glückstadt, 1972. Text, translation, and commentary of this
important historical document. Compare with Goedicke’s book.
The Quarrel of Apophis and Seqenenre’. Hans Goedicke. Van Siclen Books: San Antonio, Texas,
1986. Important discussion of and interpretation about the Kamose inscription.
Re-Used Blocks from the Pyramid of Amenemhet I at Lisht. Hans Goedicke. New York, 1971.
Publication of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Expedition at Lisht.
A Study of the Reign of Senwosret III. Robert D. Delia. PhD. Dissertation. Columbia University,
1980. University Microfilms International publication, Ann Arbor, MI. Classic source on the reign
of this pharaoh.
Egypt and the East Mediterranean World 2200-1900 B.C. Studies in Egyptian Foreign Relations
during the First Intermediate Period. William A. Ward. American University of Beirut, 1971. 145
p. Rock solid scholarship on this period.
Voices from Ancient Egypt: an anthology of Middle Kingdom writings. translated and edited by
R.B. Parkinson. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1991. 160 p. An "ideal" introduction to
the culture of the period, as well as a representative sample of writings from the Middle Kingdom.
Beyond the Pyramids: Egyptian Regional Art from the Museo Egizio, Turin. Gay Robins, ed. 96
pp. 54 color plates, 100 b&w photos. From the First Intermediate period and Middle Kingdom.
Includes important essays on the period.
Pharaohs and Mortals: Egyptian Art in the Middle Kingdom. catalogue by Janine Bourriau; with a
contribution by Stephen Quirke. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press; Cambridge
Fitzwilliam Museum, 1988. 167 p. "This is an excellent treatise on Middle Kingdom art, which
seeks to weave the art of the period into the historical development of the Middle Kingdom."
Herodotus' Autopsy of the Fayoum: Lake Moeris and the Labyrinth of Egypt, O. Kimball
Armayor. Amsterdam: J.C. Gieben 1985. 160 p.
The Cambridge Ancient History, third edition, editors I.E.S. Edwards and others, volumes I-II,
1970; reprinted 1974, 1976, 1980. A different author for several phases of Egyptian history, each
an expert in his area.
"The First Dark Age in Egypt". Barbara Bell. American Journal of Archaeology, 75, 1975, pp. 126.
The Hyksos A New Investigation, Van Setters, New Haven, 1966.
Die Herkunft der Hyksos in neuer Sicht. Albrecht Alt. Berichte über die Verhandlungen der
sächisischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig. Philologische-historische Klasse. Band
101. Heft 6. Akademie Verlag: Berlin, 1954. In German, old, but an important work on the
Hyksos.
The Rise and Fall of the Middle Kingdom in Thebes. Herbert E. Winlock. New York: Macmillan,
1947. 174 p.
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New Kingdom & Later Periods
Egyptian Historical Records of the Later Eighteenth Dynasty. Barbara Cumming. Trans. Fascicles
1-3. Warminister, 1982. Historical records in translation. Very useful.
La reine Hatchepsout. Sources et Problèmes. Suzanne Ratié. Brill: Leiden, 1979. In French, but is
the best discussion of Hatshepsut and her reign.
The Warrior Pharaohs. Leonard Cottrell. G.P. Putnam’s Sons: New York, 1969. Dated
information, but sound as far as it goes from a well-respected scholar.
The Life and Fate of the Ancient Library of Alexandria. Mostafa El-Abbadi. Paris:
UNESCO/UNDP, 1990. 250 p.
The Vanished Library: A Wonder of the Ancient World, Luciano Canfora. California, 1990. 200 p.
The Library at Alexandria from 300 BC to 640 AD.
What Happened to the Ancient Library of Alexandria? Edited by Mostafa El-Abbadi and Omnia
Mounir Fathallah. Brill: Leiden, 2008. 259 p. Inaugural volume of thirteen scholarly papers
presented at the opening of the new Biblioteca Alexandrina in Alexandria, Egypt.
Reign of Thutmose IV. Betsy Ann Bryan. Johns Hopkins University Press: Baltimore, 1991.
Land Tenure in the Ramesside Period. Sally L.D. Katary. London; New York: Kegan Paul
International, 1989. 320 p.
Ramses II: the Great Pharaoh and his Times. Rita E. Freed. Denver Museum of Natural History,
1987.
Egypt after the Pharaohs 332 BC – AD 642. From Alexander to the Arab Conquest. Alan K.
Bowman, British Museum Publications, 1986.
Herodotus' Autopsy of the Fayoum: Lake Moeris and the Labyrinth of Egypt, O. Kimball
Armayor. Amsterdam: J.C. Gieben 1985. 160 p.
Ancient Centers of Egyptian Civilization, editors H.S. Smith, Rosalind M. Hall. Windsor Forest,
Berks.: Kensal Press, 1983 100 p.
Egypt's Golden Age: The Art of Living in the New Kingdom 1558-1085 B.C. E. J. Brovarski, et
al. Exhibit Catalog. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. 1982.
Symbols of Ancient Egypt in the late period: the twenty-first dynasty. Beatrice L. Goff. The
Hague, New York: Mouton, 1979. 309 p.
Ancient Egyptian Coregencies. William J. Murnane. Chicago: Oriental Institute, 1977. 272 p.A
revision of the author's thesis, University of Chicago, 1973.
Ancient Egyptian Literature. A Book of Readings. Vol. II. The New Kingdom. University of
California Press: Berkeley, 1976.
Nubia under the Pharaohs. by Bruce G. Trigger. London: Thames and Hudson, 1976. 216 p.
The Late New Kingdom in Egypt (1300-664 B.C.) A genealogical and chronological investigation.
M. L. Bierbrier. School of Archaeology and Oriental Studies. University of Liverpool, Aris and
Phillips, 1975. [DMNS Lib.]
The Third Intermediate Period 1100-650 B.C., K. A. Kitchen, Warminster, 1972
The Cambridge Ancient History, third edition, editors I.E.S. Edwards and others, volumes I-IV,
1970; reprinted 1974, 1976, 1980. A different author for several phases of Egyptian history, each
an expert in his area.
Manuel d'Archeologie Egyptienne, J. Vandier, vols I - VI, Paris, 1952 - 1975.
The House of Ptolemy: A History of Egypt Under the Ptolemaic Dynasty. E. R. Bevan, Chicago:
Argonaut, 1968.
Alexandria. E. M. Forster. New York: Doubleday, 1961. Yes, the famous novelist.
Ancient Egypt; the New Kingdom and the Amarna period. Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt.
Photographed by F. L. Kenett. Greenwich, Conn., New York Graphic Society 1960. 33 plates.
Based on her related book on Tutanknamun, this is probably very well written and with excellent
photos.
Egyptian Sculpture of the Late Period, 700 B.C. to 100 A.D. B. V. Bothmer. New York: Brooklyn
Museum, 1960. Exhibit catalog. Author is a top expert in this period.
When Egypt Ruled the East, G. Steindorff and K. Steele, Univ. Chicago, 2nd ed. 1957.
Authoritative and short, concentrating on the 18th Dynasty. "Very dated."
"Note on the History of Kush, 850 B.C. - A.D. 350." Dows Dunham. American Journal of
Archaeology, 50, 1946, 378-388.
The Making of Egypt. W. M. Flinders Petrie, London, Sheldon Press; New York, Macmillan
[1939] 187 p.
A History of Egypt under the Ptolemaic Dynasty, E. Bevan, London 1927.
A History of Egypt under Roman Rule, J. G. Milne, 3rd ed., London 1924.
The Histories, Herodotus, Penguin, 1980. The earliest surviving (intact) account of ancient Egypt,
written in 460 BC in Egypt, while ancient Egypt was still open for business. Herodotus loved a
good story, regardless of plausibility, and he shoved several in here.
Egypt in Late Antiquity. Roger Bagnall. Princeton University Press: Princeton, 1993. First place to
start on understanding Christian Egypt through the eyes of a noted papyrologist.
Coptic Egypt. History and Guide. Jill Kamil. Revised ed. American University Press: Cairo, 1987.
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Jewelry
Amulets of Ancient Egypt. Carol Andrews. University of Texas, 1994. 112p. Lots of detailed
information and illustrations. [DMNS Lib.]
The Scarab A Reflection of Ancient Egypt. Daphna Ben-Tor. Tel Aviv: Sabinsky, 1993. 84. p.
catalog. With translations of inscriptions.
Ancient Egyptian Jewelry, Carol Andrews, HY: Harry Abrams, 1991, 208 p. 186 illus.
Catalog of Egyptian Antiquities in the British Museum. Vol. VI. Jewelry. From the Earliest Times
to the 17th Dynasty. Carol Andrews. London: British Museum, 1981. 102 p. 48 b&w plates.
Shows simple beads and shell jewelry as well as gold.
Jewels of the Pharaohs: Jewelry of the Dynastic Period, Cyril Aldred, Thames and Hudson, 1971;
2nd. edition 1978. Special photography in Cairo by Albert Shoucair. "wonderful photographs."
The 1978 edition is "abridged:" it has less text but more photographs than the original 1971
edition. Take your choice.
Tutankhamun's Jewelry. I.E.S. Edwards. Metropolitan Museum, 1976. 48 p. 36 pieces shown in
color photos.
Ancient Egyptian Jewelry. Alix Wilkinson. London: Methuen, 1971. 266 p. Egyptian Jewelry.
Milada Vilimkova. NY: Paul Hamlyn, 1969. 142 p. "some of the most breath-taking photographs
of Egyptian jewelry in any book."
The Treasure of Lahun. Herbert E. Winlock. Metropolitan Museum, 1934. 80 p. 16 plates. The
story of the jewelry of the princess of Senwosret II, found at his pyramid in Lahun. These fine
pieces are now sold in reproduction by the Met. 400 copies printed.
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Literature of Ancient Egypt
A Papyrus of the Late Middle Kingdom in the Brooklyn Museum (Papyrus Brooklyn 35.1446).
W.C. Hayes. The Brooklyn Museum of Arts and Sciences: New York, 1955. Text, translation, and
discussion.
The Protocol of Neferyt. Hans Goedicke. Johns Hopkins University Press: Baltimore, 1977.
Important discussion of this papyrus and its context.
Grundzüge einer Geschichte der altägyptischen Literatur. Helmut Brunner. 4th ed. Darmstadt,
1986. In German, but a marvelously encapsulated tour-du-force.
Love Lyrics of Ancient Egypt. Translated by Barbara Fowler. Chapel Hill: University of North
Carolina Press, 1994. 101p.
Voices from Ancient Egypt: an Anthology of Middle Kingdom writings. translated and edited by
R.B. Parkinson. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1991. 160 p. An introduction to the
culture of the period, as well as a representative sample of writings from the Middle Kingdom.
The Egyptian Book of the Dead The Book of Going Forth by Day. translated by Raymond
Faulkner; preface by Carol Andrews. Chronicle Books. [1995] "The first authentic presentation of
the complete papyrus of Ani." "The finest English translation of the text." Hieroglyphs and English
text side by side. Large format.
Letters from Ancient Egypt. translated by Edward F. Wente; edited by Edmund S. Meltzer.
Atlanta, Ga.: Scholars Press, 1990. 271 p.
The Ancient Egyptian "Tale of Two Brothers" the oldest fairy tale in the world. by Susan Tower
Hollis. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1990. 276 p.
Ramesside Inscriptions. K. A. Kitchen. Oxford: Blackwell, 1979, 1980. 3 vols. transliteration of all
the principle texts relating to Ramesses II. "mammoth project" Vol II has 928 pages.
Awakening Osiris A New translation of the Egyptian Book of the Dead. Trans. by Normandi Ellis.
Phanes Press, 1988. 227 p. An interesting modern translation. DMNS Library has a sound
recording of readings by the translator. The Denver Public library has an audio recording of
excellent readings by another reader.
The Prince Who Knew His Fate An Ancient Egyptian Tale. translated and illustrated by Lise
Manniche. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art/Philomel Books, 1981. 40 p. Retells the 3,000
year-old Egyptian tale of the prince whose fate, to die by a crocodile, a snake, or a dog, is decreed
at his birth. The ending of the tale has been lost, so who knows how it turned out?
Love Songs of the New Kingdom, translated by John L. Foster, University of Texas, Austin.
Ancient Egyptian Coffin Texts, (3 vols). R. O. Faulkner, Aris and Phillips, 1978.
Ancient Egyptian Literature. A Book of Readings. Vol. I. The Old and Middle Kingdoms. Miriam
Lichtheim, University of California Press: Berkeley, 1973.
Ancient Egyptian Literature. A Book of Readings. Vol. II. The New Kingdom. Miriam Lichtheim.
University of California Press: Berkeley, 1976.
Ancient Egyptian Literature. A Book of Readings. Vol. III. The Late Period. Miriam Lichtheim.
University of California Press: Berkeley, 1980.
How Djadja-em-ankh saved the day: a tale from Ancient Egypt. translated from the original
Hieratic with illustrations and commentary by Lise Manniche. New York: Crowell, 1977, 1976. 18
p. Third tale from Papyrus Westcar. Egyptian and English. Printed on a continuous sheet folded in
accordion style. A tale of a king and his magician in Egypt 4500 years ago.
The Literature of Ancient Egypt; an anthology of stories, instructions, and poetry. Edited with an
introd. by William Kelly Simpson. With translations by R. O. Faulkner, Edward F. Wente, Jr. and
William Kelly Simpson. New Haven, Yale University Press, 1973. 354 p. New edition this date.
Myths and Legends of Ancient Egypt. T.G.H. James. Grosset & Dunlap, 1971. 159 p. Fourteen
Egyptian myths with background material.
The Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts, translated into English by R. O. Faulkner Oxford, Clarendon
Press, 1969. 88 p. (see also next listing)
The Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts Supplement of Hieroglyphic Texts. R. O. Faulkner, Oxford,
Clarendon Press, 1969. 330 p.)
Wings of the Falcon; Life and Thought of Ancient Egypt. translated and edited by Joseph Kaster.
New York, Holt, Rinehart and Winston 1968 305 p.
Late Ramesside Letters, Edward Wente, Chicago, 1967.
The Ancient Egyptians: A Sourcebook of their Writings. Adolf Erman. Introduction by W. K.
Simpson. Harper and Row, 1966. [DMNS Lib.]
Stories from Old Egypt. Edward W. Dolch. Champaign, Ill.: Garrard Pub Co., 1964. [DMNS Lib.]
Popular Stories of Ancient Egypt. Translated by A. S. Johns from the French by Gaston Maspero.
New foreword to this ed. by Aziz S. Atiya. New Hyde Park, N.Y., University Books 1967 316 p.
A revised translation of Les contes populaires de l'Egypte ancienne. Reprint of the 1915 ed.
[DMNS Lib.]
Ancient Records of Egypt, James H. Breasted (5 vols.). University of Chicago, 1906; reprinted
Russell and Russell 1962; International Specialized Book Services, 1988. Breasted a top US
Egyptologist; translations of records from monuments and tombs.
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Miscellaneous
Egypt, The Living Past, T. G. H. James, British Museum, 1992. Life in Egypt today and it's
connection to the past. Large format and fine color photos.
Ancient Egypt: the Land and its Legacy. T.G.H. James. Austin, Texas: University of Texas Press,
1988. 223 p.
Science in Egyptology. R. A. David. Manchester University Press, 1986. 525 p.
Writing for Antiquity, Glyn Daniel, 192 p. His collected editorials for the journal Antiquity from
1958 to 1986. "... the essays that make up this book comprise a delightful grab-bag of learning,
opinion, and reflection." Includes the Rosetta Stone, and many non-Egyptian topics.
Ancient Egyptian Dances. Irena Lexova; with drawings made from reproductions of ancient
Egyptian originals by Milada Lexova; translation by K. Haltmar. Brooklyn, N.Y.: Dance Horizons,
[1974?] 95 p.
Ancient Egypt; A Cultural Topography. Hermann Kees. edited by T.G.H. James. [Translated from
the German by Ian F.D. Morrow] Chicago, University of Chicago Press 1961; 1977.392 p. [DMNS
Lib.]
The Myth of Egypt and Its Hieroglyphics in European Tradition. Erik Iversen. 2nd. Edition.
Princeton, 1993. "This is one of the noblest works I have ever reviewed. Egypt is a rare,
superlative, exploit in the geste of mankind..." - from an academic reviewer. One wonders if either
the author or the reviewer knows that "hieroglyphic" is an adjective, not a noun. Haven't seen the
book yet.
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Mummies
Egyptian Mummies. Bob Brier. Morrow, 1994. 288 p. Over 100 photographs. Rituals, process of
mummification, etc. Lists and describes known mummies and where they are today. "Delightfully
written and most entertaining."
Canopic Equipment of the Kings of Egypt. Aidan Dodson. Kegan Paul, 1994 215 p.
The Mummy's Tale. A. R. David. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1993.
Biological Anthropology and the Study of Ancient Egypt. Vivian Davies and Roxie Walker eds.
British Museum, 1993. 228p. Papers by twenty experts from a 1990 conference. This is obviously
a professional level book. New research areas and techniques including diseases and DNA.
Egyptian Mummies, G. Elliot Smith and Warren R. Dawson, Kegan Paul Intn'l, 1991
Mummies, Myth and Magic in Ancient Egypt. Christine El Mahdy (Christine Hobson). New York:
Thames and Hudson, 1989. 192 p. Excellent overview of whole topic. "Thoroughly entertaining."
Egyptian Mummies, Carol Andrews, British Museum 1990. 71 p., small paperback. [DMNS Lib.]
Mummies of the Pharaohs: Modern Medical Investigations., Maurice Bucaille, St. Martin's, 1990.
Mummies and Magic The Funerary Arts of Ancient Egypt. Sue D'Auria, Peter Lacovara, and
Catherine H. Roehrig. Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, 1988. 276 p. Very detailed catalog for an
exhibit from Boston in Dallas 1990-2000.
Tales Mummies Tell. Patricia Lauber. Crowell, 1985. 118 p. Mummies, both natural and manmade, including a frozen baby mammoth found in Siberia and the human mummies of Egypt,
Peru, and Denmark, reveal information about ancient civilizations and life. [DMNS Lib.]
Mummies, Disease, and Ancient Cultures, Aidian Cockburn and Eve Cockburn, Cambridge, 1984.
Evidence Embalmed: Modern Medicine and the Mummies of Ancient Egypt. edited by Rosalie
David and Eddie Tapp. Manchester University Press, 1984. 175 p.
Death in Ancient Egypt. A.J. Spencer. Penguin Books, 1982. 256 p. Survey of funerary beliefs.
[DMNS Lib.]
An X-Ray Atlas of the Royal Mummies, James E. Harris and Edward Wente, University of
Chicago, 1980. 401 pages. "Very technical." 299 radiographs.
The Egyptian Mummy, Stuart Fleming, Bernard Fishman, David O'Connor and David Silverman,
Philadelphia: The University Museum, University of Pennsylvania, 1980. 94 p. [DMNS Lib.]
Mysteries of the Mummies, A. Rosalie David (Ed.), Cassell London 1978.
Mummies: Death and Life in Ancient Egypt. James Hamilton-Paterson and Carol Andrews.
Harmondsworth, New York: Penguin Books, 1978. 24 p. [DMNS Lib.]
X-Raying the Pharaohs, James E. Harris and Kent R. Weeks, Scribner's 1973. 195 p.
Mummies and Human Remains, W. R. Dawson and P. H. Gray, London 1968.
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Music
Music and Musicians in Ancient Egypt. Lise Manniche. London: British Museum Press, 1991. 142
p. (Dover 27171-4)
Musical Instruments from the tomb of Tut'ankhamun. Lise Manniche. Oxford, England: Griffith
Institute, 1976. 15 p. Tutankhamun's Tomb, Series 6.
Ancient Egyptian Dances. Irena Lexova; with drawings made from reproductions of ancient
Egyptian originals by Milada Lexova; translation by K. Haltmar. Brooklyn, N.Y.: Dance Horizons,
[1974?] 95 p.
Music of the Ancient Near East. Claire Polin. New York, Vantage Press 1954 138 p. "Musical
examples": p. 123-127.
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Natural Setting (Animals, Plants, Geology, Climate,
etc.)
Environment and Archaeology. An Ecological Approach to Prehistory. Karl W. Butzer. 2nd ed.
Aldine Publishing Company: Chicago, 1971. Thoughtful and full of insights that should be a
handbook for all prehistorians.
Atlas of Ancient Egypt. John Baines and Jaromir Mélek. Facts on File Publications: New York,
1980. Clearly written and illustrated source on where is what.
Historische Karte des alten Ägypten. Wilhelm Berg. Hans Richarz: St. Augustin, 1973. Simply
outrageous publication, in a series of foldout maps, of the entire course of the Nile Valley during
different historical periods. If you want to find something, this is it.
The Geology of Egypt, editor R. Said, Rotterdam, 1990. Includes summary of climate of Egypt
since the last Ice Age.
Fish and Fishing in Ancient Egypt. Douglas J. Brewer, Renee F. Friedman. Warminster, England:
Aris & Phillips, 1989. 109 p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-99) and index. The Natural
history of Egypt; v. 2
An Ancient Egyptian Herbal. Lise Manniche. Austin: University of Texas Press, published in cooperation with British Museum Publications, 1989. 176 p. Ninety-six kinds of plants and trees.
The Birds of Ancient Egypt. Patrick F. Houlihan; with the collaboration and a preliminary
checklist to the birds of Egypt by Steven M. Goodman. Warminster, England: Aris & Philips,
1986. 191 p. The Natural history of Egypt; volume 1.
Common Birds of Egypt. Bertel Bruun. Cairo: American University in Cairo Press, 1985 [DMNS
Lib.]
Pharaoh's Flowers. Hepper.
Geological Map of Greater Cairo Area, Geological Survey of Egypt, Cairo, 1983. Scale 1:100,000.
Climate, History and the Modern World. H. H. Lamb, London: Methuen, 1982, 387 p., ills.
Climate Present, Past and Future; 2 volumes. (Volume 2: Climatic history and the future.) H. H.
Lamb. London: Methuen, 1977, 835 p. These two works by H. H. Lamb are the fascinating result
of thirty years of study of the past history of the Earth's climate. The longer is slightly more
technical but has more details, including recorded Nile levels from the Old Kingdom. The shorter
is more of a popular summary. Both are easy to read.
The Geological Evolution of the River Nile, R. Said, New York, 1981.
The Sahara and the The Nile: Quaternary Environments and Prehistoric Occupation in North
Africa, Williams and H. Faures, eds., Balkema, 1980.
Guidebook to the Geology and Archaeology of Egypt, editor F. A. Reilly, Petroleum Exploration
Society of Libya, 1964.
The Geology of Egypt, R. Said, Amsterdam, 1962.
Anatomical identification of some ancient Egyptian plant materials. Elhamy A. M. Greiss. Cairo,
Impr. C. Tsoumas, 1957. 165 p.
La famine dans l'Égypte ancienne. Jacques Vandier. New York: Arno Press, 1979. 176 p. (more
history than climate?) Reprint of the 1936 ed. published by Institut Français d'Archeologie
Orientale, Cairo.
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Priesthoods
Das Priestertum im ägyptischen Staat vom Neuen Reich bis zur Spätzeit. Hermann Kees. Brill:
Leiden, 1953. Vol.1. Indices und Nachträge. Brill: Leiden, 1958. Vol. 2. Highly detailed
prosopographic study of the Egyptian priesthoods from the New Kingdom through Late Period. In
German, but excellent.
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Pyramids & Related Structures - Popular Accounts &
Overviews
Guide to the Pyramids of Egypt. Alberto Siliotti. Trans. By A.B.A. Milan. Barnes & Noble Books:
Milan, 1997.
The Pyramids of Egypt, I.E.S. Edwards, Penguin, first edition 1947; revised several times, latest
revision 1993. A basic reference on the pyramids. Excellent, with lots of detail. Black and white
diagrams and photos. Be sure to use the latest edition which has new material.
Pharaohs and Pyramids. George Hart. London: Herbert Press, 1991. New and up to date, easy
reading. History, and a detailed guide to the sites.
The Pyramids of Ancient Egypt, Zahi Hawass, Pittsburgh, 1990. booklet.
In the Shadow of the Pyramids: Egypt during the Old Kingdom, Jaromir Malek and W. Forman,
Norman: Oklahoma University, 1986. 128p. 120 color plates. Old Kingdom history. excellent text
and excellent photography. [DMNS Lib.]
"A Unique Approach to Unraveling the Secrets of the Great Pyramids." Dora Jane Hamblin,
Smithsonian, April 1986. 78-93. Describes Mark Lehner's Giza Plateau Mapping Project. Includes
a wonderful 2-page reconstructed perspective view of the area around Giza when the Khufu
pyramid was being built.
Sakkara and Memphis. Jill Kamil. New York: Longman, 1984. Travel guide. "This gives excellent
in-depth descriptions of the monuments and tombs - highly recommended."
Egypt to the End of the Old Kingdom, Cyril Aldred. Thames and Hudson, 1965, 1984. 143 p., 136
illus., 41 color plates. "The best sort of introduction to the period for the general reader. The text is
accurate and stimulating." - Journal of Egyptian Archeology.
The Boat Beneath the Pyramid. Nancy Jenkins. Thames and Hudson, 1980.
The Riddle of the Pyramids, Kurt Mendelssohn, Thames and Hudson, 1974, 1989. Interesting,
good diagrams. An introduction to the Pyramids by way of a hypothesis linking construction and
social history. Mendelssohn also advanced a proposal that the Meidum pyramid collapsed during
construction, an idea presently not accepted. [DMNS Lib.]
The Pyramids, Ahmed Fakhry, Univ. of Chicago, 2nd ed., 1969. Fakhry is an Egyptian
archeologist. A good basic pyramid reference. References to expedition reports.
The Mountains of Pharaoh, Leonard Cottrell, Robert Hale and Co., 1956. "Old but good."
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Investigations & Reports
Le problem des pyramides d’Égypte. Traditions et legends. Exploration. Description. Théories.
Science et croyances des constructeurs. J.-P. Lauer. Payot: Paris, 1948.
"Insight from Geometry and Physics Into the Construction of Egyptian Old Kingdom Pyramids."
Stuart Kirkland Wier. Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 1996.
Pyramid Symposium 1993. Egyptian Study Society. Denver: Denver Museum of Natural History.
sound recording of proceedings. [DMNS Lib.]
"The Pyramid of Meidum: was it the victim of structural collapse?" George B. Johnson, KMT, 2
parts, vol. 4 no. 2, pp. 65-71; vol. 5 no. 1 pp. 72-82.
Building in Egypt Pharaonic Stone Masonry. Dieter Arnold. New York and Oxford: Oxford
University Press. 1991. 316 p. Superb details of construction of all kinds; excellent photographs
and diagrams of construction details. Summaries a great deal of work.
Die Grossen Pyramiden von Giza. Rainer Stadelmann. Akademische Druck - U. Verslagsanstalt,
1990.
The Egyptian Pyramids: A Comprehensive Illustrated Reference. J. P. Lepre, Jefferson, North
Carolina: MacFarland and Co., 1990. Lots of detailed information, but very few and simple
illustrations. Not a book for an introduction to pyramids. Apparently the work of an amateur
enthusiast.
"Herodotus' Pyramid Machine Reinvented." Bob Lowdermilk, KMT 2, no. 4. 1991 (Winter 9192). A practical proposed construction technique which lifts stones by levers and rope slings.
"Boston at Giza The Museum of Fine Arts' Race Against Time in the Shadow of the Pyramids"
Peter Der Manuelian, KMT 1, no. 4. 1990 (Winter 91-92). pp. 10 - 21. Overview of the work and
discoveries of George A. Reisner at Giza. Reisner conducted the largest excavations of the large
cemeteries and temples at Giza, and introduced modern documentation techniques. His team's
work is essential to understanding Giza.
The Pyramid Complex of Senwosret I (Metropolitan Museum of Art Egyptian Expedition 22).
Dieter Arnold. 1988-1992. 3 vols.
"On Pyramid Building." M. Isler. Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt. vols XXII
(1985); XXIV (1987).
The Pyramid Builders of ancient Egypt: a modern investigation of pharaoh's work force. A.R.
David. London; Boston: Routledge & K. Paul, 1986. 269 p. Pyramid of Senwosret II. A
reassessment of the excavation of the Dynasty XII workmen's village at Kahun.
"The Development of the Giza Necropolis: The Khufu Project." Mark Lehner. Mitteilungen des
Deutschen Archaologisch Instituts Kairo 41, 109-146. 1985
"A Contextual Approach to the Pyramids." Mark Lehner. Archive für Orientforschung 31, 136158. 1984.
"Survey of the Temple of Isis Mistress of the Pyramid at Giza", Michael Jones and Angela
Milward, Journal of the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities, 12, 1982, 139-151.
Saqqara - The Royal Cemetary of Memphis Excavations and Discoveries since 1850. JeanPhilippe Lauer. Thames and Hudson, 1976; NY: Scribners 1976. 248 p. By an Egyptologist who
spent his life working at Saqqara. 210 illus. "A rare and classic work."
Le Mystere des Pyramids. Jean-Philippe Lauer. Paris, 1974.
The Mastaba of Queen Merysankh, W. K. Simpson, Boston, 1973.
"A Scientist Looks at the Pyramids." Kurt Mendelssohn. American Scientist 59, 1971. 210-.
The Pyramid of Unas, A. Piankoff, Princeton, 1968.
Histoire Monumentale des Pyramids d'Egypt. Jean-Philippe Lauer. Cairo, 1962. (several vols)
Archaic Egypt. W. B. Emery, 1961, 1985, Pelican. Dynasties I - II; good information on mastabas.
The Monuments of Sneferu at Dashur, Ahmed Fakhry, Cairo: Egyptian Antiquities organization,
1959-1963. excellent report on Bent Pyramid and Valley temple.
Excavations at Saqqara. The Unfinished Step Pyramid. M. Zakaria Goneim. Cairo: l'Institute
Francais d'Archeologie Orientale, 1957. 37 p. best pictures of how the site appeared cleared.
"Building an Egyptian Pyramid." Dows Dunham. Archaeology, 9, 159-165. 1956.
The Lost Pyramid, Zakaria Goneim, Rinehart, New York 1956. on the unfinished and buried large
pyramid of Sekhemkhet. (also as The Buried Pyramid, M. Z. Goneim, London 1956.)
Giza (12 volumes). Hermann Junker. Vienna and Leipzig, 1929 - 1955. Junker had the largest
concession at Giza after Reisner, and the German team also did important work.
Great Tombs of the First Dynasty Kings, W. B. Emery, 3 vols., 1949-1958.
A History of the Giza Necropolis. 2 vols. G. A. Reisner and W. S. Smith, Harvard, 1942-1955.
The Sphinx: Its History in Light of Recent Excavations, Selim Hassan, Oxford University, 1949.
Sakkarah: The Monuments of Zoser. Etienne Drioton and Jean-Philippe Lauer. Cairo: l'Institute
Français d'Archeologie Orientale, 1939. [DMNS Lib.]
The Step Pyramid (2 vols). Cecil M. Firth, J. E. Quibell, and Jean-Philippe Lauer. Cairo: l'Institut
Français d'Archeologie Oriental, 1936. (Also as La Pyramid a Degres, in French?)
The Development of the Egyptian Tomb Down to the Accession of Cheops, George A. Reisner,
Cambridge: Harvard, 1935.
Mycerinus: The Temples of the Third Pyramid at Giza, George. A. Reisner, Cambridge Mass.:
Harvard, 1931. Found here were the superb black statues of Menkaura which are arguably the
finest art works from ancient Egypt.
Ancient Egyptian Construction and Architecture. Somers Clarke and R. Engelbach. New York:
Dover Publications, 1990. 242 p. An unabridged republication of the work originally published in
1930 by Oxford University Press, under the title Ancient Egyptian Masonry The Builders' Craft.
Meydum and Memphis, W. M. F. Petrie, E. MacKay and G. A. Wainwright, London, 1910.
Abydos, W.M.F. Petrie, London, 1902. Regarding the First Dynasty tombs there.
Medum, W.M.F. Petrie, London, 1892.
Fouilles a Dahchour Mars-Juin 1894. Jacques Jean-Marie De Morgan. Vienne, Holzhausen, 1895.
165 pages. 40 plates, 274 figures. Excavations at the Middle Kingdom pyramids of Dashur.
Spectacular jewelry of XIIth Dynasty Princess Merit, among others. The 1894-1895 excavations
were published in 1903.
The Pyramids and Temples of Gizeh, W. M. Flinders Petrie. London, 1883; reprinted by Histories
and Mysteries of Man Ltd, 1990. 135 p. The first scientific survey by one of the greatest early
Egyptologists. Still of value today to students of the pyramids. The 1990 reprint has additional
material by Zahi Hawass.
Operations Carried on at the Pyramids of Gizeh in 1837. Howard Vyse. (3 vols). London, 1840,
1842.
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Reference
Einführung in die Ägyptologie. Stand, Methoden, Aufgaben. Erik Hornung. Darmstadt, 1984. In
German, best condense discussion of Egyptology and its place.
The Legacy of Egypt. J.R. Harris. Ed. 2nd ed. Clarendon Press: Oxford, 1971. Best source for
quick information on a multitude of topics. A great first start of any investigation.
Reallexikon der ägyptischen Religionsgeschichte. 2nd ed. Hans Bonnet. Walter de Gruyter: Berlin,
1971. In German, but a fantastic source on virtually all aspects of the ancient Egyptians’ religion.
The Dictionary of Ancient Egypt. Ian Shaw and Paul Nicholson. British Museum. 500 entries, 75
maps, plans and drawings.
Chronicle of the Pharaohs. P. A. Clayton. Thames and Hudson, 1994(?). 224 p. 350 illus. A handy
reference to all the kings.
Cultural Anthropology of the Middle East A Bibliography. vol 1: 1965 - 1987, R. Strijp, E. J. Bril,
1992.
The Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt. Margaret Bunson. New York: Facts on File Publications,
1991. 291 p.
Smithsonian Timelines of the Ancient World. Chris Scarre, editor. From origins of life to A. D.
1500. 256 p. Mr. Scarre is the Editor of the Cambridge Archaeological Journal.
Ancient Egypt (Eyewitness Books series), George Hart, Knopf, 1990. Most of the book consists of
some 200 excellent color photographs of actual ancient artifacts, many from everyday life. [DMNS
Lib.]
Ancient Egypt: Cultural Atlas for Young People. Geraldine Harris, New York: Facts on File, 1990.
A Dictionary of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, George Hart, London: Routledge & Kegan Paul,
1986. 229 p.
Atlas of Ancient Egypt. John Baines and Jaromir Malek. New York, N.Y.: Facts on File
Publications, 1980. 240 p. illus. Lots of detail, organized by locations, with maps, diagrams,
photos, etc. One of the best references.
Ancient Egypt: sources of information in the New York Public Library. compiled by Ida A. Pratt
under the direction of Dr. Richard Gottheil. New York: Kraus Reprint Corp., 1969. 486 p.
Back to Contents
Religion & Mythology
Egyptian Religious Texts and Representations. Mythological Papyri. Parts 1 and 2. Alexander
Piankoff and N. Rambova. Pantheon Books, Inc.: New York, 1957. Translation and commentary.
Egyptian Religious Texts and Representations. The Wandering of the Soul. Alexander Piankoff
and Helen Jacquet-Gordon. Princeton University Press: Princeton, 1972. Translation and
commentary.
The Origins of Osiris and his Cult. J. Gwyn Griffiths. Brill: Leiden, 1980. Dense discussion of this
god; critical to any investigation.
The Intellectual Adventure of Ancient Man. An Essay on Speculative Thought in the Ancient Near
East. Henri Frankfort, H.A. Frankfort, John A. Wilson, Thorkild Jacobsen, and William A. Irwin.
University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 1946. Classic text on comparative religion.
Ancient Egyptian Religion. An Interpretation. Henri Frankfort. Harper & Row: New York, 1948.
Old, but an interpretation that must be confronted.
Kingship and the Gods. A Study of Ancient Near Eastern Religion as the Integration of Society
and Nature. Henri Frankfort. University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 1948. Egyptian religion in
relationship to its neighboring cultures.
Myth and Symbol in Ancient Egypt. R.T. Rundle Clarke. Thames & Hudson: London, 1959.
Important discussion of the role of magic in the daily life of the ancient Egyptians.
Egyptian Magic. E.A. Wallis Budge. New York, 1901. Old, but still of importance.
The Book of the Dead. The Hieroglyphic Transcript of the Papyrus of Ani. E.A. Wallis Budge.
New York, 1960. Old, but valuable for comparative purposes.
Hathor and Thoth. Two Key Figures of the Ancient Egyptian Religion. C.J. Bleeker. Brill: Leiden,
1973. Dense, but rewarding book on two Egyptian gods.
Ancient Egyptian Magical Texts. J.F. Borghouts. Brill: Leiden, 1978. Wonderful little book on
ancient Egyptian magic, complete with translated examples that will curl your toes!
Symbol and Magic in Ancient Egypt. Richard H. Wilkinson. Thames and Hudson, 1994. 224 p.
The Festival Procession of Opet in the Colonnade Hall with translations of texts, commentary, and
glossary by the Epigraphic Survey. Chicago; Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, 1994.
[DMNS Lib.]
Ancient Egyptian Religion, Stephen Quirke, British Museum, 1992. Quirke is one of the curators
at the British Museum. "A good feature is his discussion of popular religion and the use of
artifacts, many of which are rarely pictured, to illustrate the text."
"Popular Worship in Ancient Egypt," Emily Teeter, KMT, vol 4, no. 3; Summer 1993. Points
include the diversity of religious practices, common people's place in temples, and the role that
religion played in community life outside the realm of the temples.
The Egyptian Book of the Dead The Book of Going Forth by Day. translated by Raymond
Faulkner; preface by Carol Andrews. Chronicle Books. [1995] "The first authentic presentation of
the complete papyrus of Ani." The finest English translation of the text." Hieroglyphs and English
text side by side. Large format. [DMNS Lib. has earlier version of the text, 1985]
The Mechanics of Ancient Egyptian Magical Practice. Robert Kriech Ritner. Chicago: Oriental
Institute of the University of Chicago, 1993. 322 p. Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization; no. 54
Originally presented as the author's thesis (Ph. D. University of Chicago, 1987.)
Idea into Image: Essays on Ancient Egyptian Thought. Erik Hornung, Timken, 224 p. 1992. [from
German] "An introduction to the imagination of ancient Egypt ... questions of being and nonbeing, time and eternity, nature of the divine, creation of the world, and the meaning of death."
Akhenaten's Sed-festival at Karnak. Jocelyn Gohary. London; New York: Kegan Paul
International; New York, NY, USA: Distributed by Routledge, Chapman & Hall, 1992. 238 p.
Egyptian light and Hebrew fire: theological and philosophical roots of Christendom in
evolutionary perspective. Karl W. Luckert. Albany, N.Y.: State University of New York Press,
1991. 347 p.
Religion in Ancient Egypt: Gods, Myths, and Personal Practice. edited by Byron E. Shafer;
contributors, John Baines, Leonard H. Lesko, David P. Silverman. Ithaca: Cornell University
Press, 1991. 217 p. Lectures given at a symposium held in 1987
The Private Chapel in Ancient Egypt: a study of the chapels in the workmen's village at el Amarna
with special reference to Deir el Medina and other sites. Ann H. Bomann. London; New York:
Kegan Paul International, 1991. 144 p.
Magic in Ancient Egypt. Geraldine Pinch. Austin: University of Texas. 191 p. [1990?]
Ancient Egyptian: the Sirius connection. Murry Hope. Shaftesbury, England: Element Books,
1990. Includes glossary, bibliography and index. Magic of Egypt and religious aspects. magic,
mythology, Sirius, double stars. (is this credible?)
The Cobra Goddess of Ancient Egypt: Predynastic, Early Dynastic, and Old Kingdom periods.
Sally B. Johnson; drawings by Victoria Solia. London; New York: Kegan Paul International 1990.
276 p.
Valley of the Kings - Horizon of Eternity, Erik Hornung, Timken 1990, from the German "Tal der
Konige." Strong on religious symbols: very detailed - and very bizarre to modern minds - beliefs
about the underworld. Color photos of tomb paintings with explications.
La Clerge Feminin d'Amon Thebain a la 21e Dynastie. Saphinas-Amal Naguib. Leuven: Uigeverij
Peteers, 1990. 240 p. 9 plates. The role of women in the worship of Amun in the 21st dynasty.
Egyptian Gods and Myths, Angela Thomas, Shire, 1986.
A Dictionary of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, George Hart, London: Routledge & Kegan Paul,
1986. 229 p. His book on pyramids is excellent so this probably is so, too.
Egyptian Myths. Hart.
Gods and Myths of Ancient Egypt. Robert A. Armour; with Alison Baker. Cairo, Egypt: American
University in Cairo Press, 1986. 207 p.
The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead, R. O. Faulkner, British Museum, 1985.
Egyptian Magic. Christian Jacq. Aris and Phillips, 1985. 162 p. This author is a very popular
novelist in France, but almost unknown in the US, and none of his novels are translated.
The Book of the Dead. Evelyn Rossiter. Geneva: Minerva, 1984. 119 p. Filled with color photos of
outstanding scrolls of the book. Commentaries.
The Gods of Ancient Egypt. Barbara Watterson. Facts on File, 1984. 208 p., 24 p. of plates; illus.
The Ancient Egyptian Religious Beliefs and Practices, A. Rosalie David, Routledge & Kegan
Paul, 260 p., 1982. "attempts to show not only the religious developments within the historical
framework, but to demonstrate how the religion permeated nearly every part of society." Looks
like a good adult introduction. [DMNS Lib.]
Death in Ancient Egypt. A.J. Spencer. Penguin Books, 1982. 256 p. "Excellent survey of funerary
beliefs."
"Funerary Beliefs of the Ancient Egyptians," Edward F. Wente, Expedition 24, no. 2 (Winter
1982). "A very insightful study of the theology of the afterlife."
Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: the one and the many. Erik Hornung; translated by John
Baines. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1982. 295 p. Translation, with revisions, of: Der Eine und
die Vielen. [DMNS Lib.]
The Death of Gods in Ancient Egypt, Jane B. Sellers, Penguin, 424 p. "Sellars argues that the
stories of the ancient Egyptian religion have a firm basis in astronomy... observations were in time
turned into mythic tales." anyone familiar with this?
Ancient Egyptian Magic. Bob Brier. New York: Quill, 1981. [DMNS Lib.] Supposed to be one of
the best on this topic.
Egyptian Mysteries. Lucy Lamy. Thames and Hudson, 1981, 1991. 96 p.
A Guide to Religious Ritual at Abydos, A. Rosalie David, Aris and Phillips 1981.
Cult of the Sun: Myth and Magic in Ancient Egypt. Rosalie David. London: J. M. Dent, 1980. 208
p.
Illustrated Dictionary of the Gods and Symbols of Ancient Egypt. Manfred Lurker. Thames and
Hudson. 142 p.
The Gods and Symbols of ancient Egypt: an illustrated dictionary. Manfred Lurker English ed.,
rev., enlarged. and picture-edited by Peter A. Clayton. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1980. 142
p. Translation of: Gotter und Symbole der alten Ägypter.
Ancient Egyptian Coffin Texts, R. O. Faulkner, 3 vols., Aris and Phillips, 1978.
The Wandering of the Soul. Texts Translated with Commentary. Alexandre Piankoff. Princeton,
1974. 124 p. 48 plates. also includes a game of senet.
Egyptian Religion. Siegfried Morenz. Cornell University Press, 1973, recently reprinted.
"Although this book is tinged with the author's own Christian background, it is an excellent
discussion of many aspects of religion, and well organized by topic. A very strong feature of the
book is the use of texts in translation to illustrate points of theology."
Myths and Legends of Ancient Egypt. T.G.H. James; illustrated by Brian Melling. Grosset &
Dunlap, 1971. 159 p. Fourteen Egyptian myths accompanied by background material.
The Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts, translated into English by R. O. Faulkner Oxford,
Clarendon Press, 1969. 88 p. (see also The ancient Egyptian pyramid texts, Supplement of
hieroglyphic texts. Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1969. 330 p.)
Egyptian Mythology, Veronica Ions. Paul Hamlyn, 1968. 141 p. "Informative and enjoyable."
Ancient Egyptian Art: the cults of Osiris and Amon. E. Otto, Photos. by Max Hirmer. New York,
Abrams 1967 144 p. Translation of Osiris und Amon: Kult und heilige Statten. (Egyptian Art and
the Cults of Osiris and Amun, London, 1968.)
The Litany of Re. Texts Translated with Commentary. Alexandre Piankoff. NY: Pantheon, 1964.
182 p. New Kingdom theological work. 82 plates. "Important work for any study of the new
Kingdom."
The Conflict of Horus and Seth, J. Gwyn Griffith, Univ. Liverpool, 1960.
Myth and Symbol in Ancient Egypt. R.T. Rundle Clark. London: Thames and Hudson, 1991,
1978, 1959. 292 p. [DMNS Lib.]
Ancient Egyptian Religion. by Jaroslav Cerny. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1979. 159 p.
Reprint of the 1957 printing of the work originally published in 1952 by Hutchinson's University
Library.
Development of Religion and Thought in Ancient Egypt. James Henry Breasted. New York:
Scribner's Sons, 1912. Harper reissue, introduction by John A. Wilson; 1959. 379 p.
The Tomb of Ramesses VI. Alexandre Piankoff. NY: Pantheon, 1954. 2 vols. 459 p. 196 plates.
"all the inscriptions and decoration in one of the most popular and attractive tombs of the Valley of
the Kings."
Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament. James B. Pritchard, ed. Princeton, 2nd.
edition, 1955. 526 p. Egyptian section has important religious texts.
"The Consecration of an Egyptian Temple according to the use of Edfu." A. M. Blackman & H.
W. Fairman. Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, 32, 75-91, 1946.
Religious Life in Ancient Egypt. W. M. Flinders Petrie, London, Constable, 1924. 221 p. "an
excellent book based on 40 years' excavations"
The Dawn of Astronomy; a study of the temple worship and mythology of the ancient Egyptians.
Joseph Norman Lockyer (1836-1920). Cambridge, Mass., M.I.T. Press 1964 432 p.
Greek Magical Papyri in Translation, Including the Demotic Spells. Hans Deiter Betz, ed.
University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 1986. Vol. 1 Texts.
Back to Contents
Technology & Science (Astronomy, Chronology,
Industries, Medicine, etc.)
Papyrus. Richard Parkinson and Stephen Quirke. Austin: University of Texas, 1995. 96 p. many
illustrations.
"An Old Kingdom Basalt Quarry at Widan el Faras and the Quarry Road to Lake Moeris in the
Faiyum, Egypt." J.A. Harrell and T. M. Bown. Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt,
32, 1995.
The Rhind Mathematical Papyrus. Gay Robins and Charles Shute. New York: Dover. 88 p.
Includes 24 color plates of the papyrus. Original in British Museum.
The Discovery of Glass: Experiments in the smelting of ... John E. Dayton. Harvard, 1993. 72 p.
47 illus. Did Egyptian dark blue glass come from Schneeburg, Saxony? So this claims.
Studies in Ancient Technology. Forbes.
Studies in Early Egyptian Glass. Lilyquist.
The Medical Skills of Ancient Egypt, J. Worth Estes, Science History Publications, Canton Mass.,
1989.
Ancient Egyptian Science: a source book. Marshall Clagett. Philadelphia, PA: American
Philosophical Society, 1989. Memoirs of the American Philosophical Society; v.184
A Study of Ancient Egyptian Cordage in the British Museum, Donald P. Ryan and David H.
Hansen, London: British Museum, Occasional Paper 62, 1988.
Science in Ancient Egypt. Woods, Geraldine. Watts, 1988. 92 p. Discusses the achievements of
the ancient Egyptians in science, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, agriculture, and technology.
(juvenile)
The Death of Gods in Ancient Egypt, Jane B. Sellers, Penguin, 424 p. "Sellars argues that the
stories of the ancient Egyptian religion have a firm basis in astronomy... observations were in time
turned into mythic tales."
A Survey of Glassmaking from Ancient Egypt to the Present. The Corning Museum of Glass;
compiled by Charleen K. Edwards. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1977. 59 p.
Egyptian Chronology, E. Wente et al., Oriental Institute University of Chicago, 1976.
A History of Ancient Mathematical Astronomy. Otto Neugebauer. Berlin; New York: SpringerVerlag, 1975. 3 vols. 1456 p.
Ancient Egyptian Glasses and Glazes in the Brooklyn Museum. E. Riefstahl. Brooklyn, 1968.
Egyptian Astronomical texts. O. Neugebauer and Richard Parker. London: Humphries, 1960-1969.
[DMNS Lib.]
Science and Secrets of Early Medicine: Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, Mexico, Peru. Jurgen
Thorwald. Translated by Richard and Clara Winston. New York, Harcourt, Brace & World 1963,
331 p. Translation of Macht und Geheimnis der fruhen Arzte. (?)
The Physicians of Pharaonic Egypt. Paul Ghalioungui. Cairo: 1983. 115 p. The authoritative work
on ancient Egyptian physicians and their craft.
Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries. Alfred Lucas. 4th ed., rev. and enl. by J.R. Harris.
London: E. Arnold, 1962. 523 p. Lucas worked on conservation of materials from the tomb of
TutAnkhamun. (original 1936?)
Physics and Archeology, M. J. Aitken, Interscience, 1961. Carbon 14 and other dating and
mapping techniques.
Anatomical identification of some ancient Egyptian plant materials. Elhamy A. M. Greiss. Cairo:
Impr. C. Tsoumas, 1957. 165 p.
The Old Egyptian Medical Papyri. Chauncey Depew Leake, Lawrence, Kan., University of Kansas
Press, 1952. 108 p.
The Calendars of Egypt, Richard Parker, Univ. Chicago, 1950.
Glass and Glazes from Ancient Egypt. Brooklyn Museum 1948. 24 p. A short list of references on
Egyptian glass and glazed wares.
Bitumen and Petroleum in Antiquity. R.J. Forbes. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1936.
Ancient Textiles from Egypt in the University of Michigan collection. Lillian M. Wilson. Ann
Arbor, University of Michigan press, 1933. 77 p.
The Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus published in Facsimile with Translation and Commentary in
Two Volumes. James Henry Breasted. Chicago, 1930. 596 p. 53 plates. ca. 2700 - 1700 B.C.
Tools and Weapons. W. M. Flinders Petrie. London, 1917.
The Hearst Medical Papyrus. George Reisner. Leipzig, 1905.
Back to Contents
Society (Social Life, Foreign Relations, Military,
etc.)
(See also Daily Life)
Love, Death, and Magic. Willis Barnstone. 1975.
"The Chariot in Egypt." Kathy Hansen. KMT, vol. 5, number 1. Spring 1994. pp. 50-61.
Women in Ancient Egypt. Gay Robins. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1993. 205 p.
Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in ancient times. Donald B. Redford. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton
University Press, 1992. 488 p. Best current survey of Egyptian foreign relations with SyriaPalestine and Mesopotamia, although the part on the origin of the Israelites is rather speculative.
Very dense, but well documented and readable.
The Land of the Bible. A Historical Geography. Y. Aharoni. Trans. By A.F. Rainey. Westminister
Press: Philadelphia, 1967. Go to source on the Levantine area and its interactions with Egypt.
Women in Ancient Egypt. Barbara Watterson. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1991. 201 p.
Egyptian Phyles in the Old Kingdom: The Evolution of a system of Social Organization. Ann
Macy Roth. Chicago, Ill.: Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, 1991. 243 p. Studies in
ancient oriental civilization; no. 48 Based on the author's thesis (Ph.D., University of Chicago,
1985).
Sexual Life in Ancient Egypt. Lise Manniche. London; New York: KPI; New York, NY, USA:
Distributed by Methuen Inc., Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1987. 127 p.
Ancient Egypt: A Social History, B. Trigger, B. Kemp, D. O'Connor, A. Lloyd, Cambridge
University 450 p. 1983, 1990. Four top scholars provide insight.
The Remarkable Women of Ancient Egypt. Barbara Lesko, Berkeley: B.C. Scribe 1978 (?).
The Jewish-Aramaean Communities in Ancient Egypt. Boulos Ayad. Cairo: Institute of Coptic
Studies, 1975. 343 p.
Military Rank, Title, and Organization in the Egyptian New Kingdom. A. R. Schulman, Berlin
1954.
Race Relations in Ancient Egypt: Greek, Egyptian, Hebrew, Roman. Simon Davis, New York,
Philosophical Library 1952 176 p.
Tools and Weapons. W. M. Flinders Petrie. London, 1917.
Back to Contents
Societies, Journals & Magazines
The American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE), 50 Washington Square South, New York, NY,
10012. (212) 998-8890. Quarterly Newsletter, annual Journal, lectures. The annual meeting is the
primary Egyptological meeting in the US. ARCE has facilities in Egypt.
The Egyptian Exploration Society, 3 Doughty Mews, London WC1N 2PG, England. Sponsors
excavations and lectures, publishes books and The Journal of Egyptian Archeology (annual), and
Egyptian Archaeology (biannual). Facilities in Egypt. This organization has been central to British
archaeology for over 100 years.
KMT. A Modern Journal of Ancient Egypt. 1531 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94115.
Back to Contents
The Sphinx
(For the setting, see works listed under Pyramids, and under Histories: Old Kingdom)
"Who Built It, and Why?" Zahi Hawass and Mark Lehner. Archaeology 47, 1994. 30-41.
"Can the Sphinx be Saved?" Zahi Hawass. Archaeology 47, 1994. 42-43.
"Remnant of a Lost Civilization?" Zahi Hawass and Mark Lehner. Archaeology 47, 1994. 44-47.
"Reconstructing the Sphinx." Mark Lehner. Cambridge Archaeological Journal 2, 1992. 3-26
"Computer Rebuilds the Sphinx." Mark Lehner. National Geographic 179. April 1991. 32-39.
The Sphinx: Its History in Light of Recent Excavations. Selim Hassan. Cairo; London: Oxford
University Press, 1949.
Back to Contents
Sun Temples
Building in Egypt Pharaonic Stone Masonry. Dieter Arnold. Oxford, 1991. 316 p.
Cult of the Sun Myth and Magic in Ancient Egypt, Rosalie David, 1980.
The Obelisks of Egypt, Labib Habachi, Scribner's Sons, 1977; Am. Univ Cairo, 1986. [DMNS
Lib.]
Egypt to the End of the Old Kingdom, Cyril Aldred, 143 p., 136 illus. (41 color), Thames and
Hudson, 1965, 1984.
Das Sonnenheiligtum des Konigs Userkaf (2 vols), Herbert Ricke. Cairo, 1965.
A History of Egyptian Architecture, (vol 1: From the earliest times to the end of the Old
Kingdom), Alexander Badawy, Giza 1954, reprinted 1990, Histories and Mysteries of Man Ltd, 1
Battersea Bridge Road, London SW1. "Dated but complete and scholarly."
Manuel d'Archeologie Egyptienne, J. Vandier, vols I - VI, Paris, 1952 - 1975.
A History of Egypt, vol I, W.F. Petrie, (c 1900). Reprinted Histories and Mysteries of Man Ltd,
1991.
Das Re-Heiligtum des Konigs Ne-woser-Re (3 vols.), Ludwig Borchardt, Berlin: Der Bau, 1905.
(Same title listed for F.W. von Bissing and H. Kees, Leipzig 1923, 1928)
Back to Contents
Syntheses & Reflections
Early Civilizations: Ancient Egypt in Context. Bruce G. Trigger. Cairo, Egypt: American
University in Cairo Press, 1993. 158 p. Based on four lectures on `Ancient Egypt as an Early
Civilization' delivered at the American University in Cairo between April 12 and 15, 1992
Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization. Barry J. Kemp. London: New York: Routledge, 1989.
356 p.
City and Cosmos in Ancient Egypt. D. O'Connor.
Ancient Egypt: A Social History. B. Trigger, B. Kemp, D. O'Connor, A. Lloyd, Cambridge
University, 1983; 1990. 450 p.
Glimpses of Ancient Egypt: Studies in Honor of H. W. Fairman. eds. John Ruffles and Kenneth
Kitchen. Warminster: Aris and Phillips, 1979. [DMNS Lib.]
The Emergence of Society. John Pfeiffer. McGraw-Hill, 1977. 512 p.
The Culture of Ancient Egypt. John A. Wilson. University of Chicago Press 1951, 1956; 344 p.
First published in 1951 with the title The Burden of Egypt. "Thoughtful, urbanely written, an
intellectual history and a fine one" A history but more philosophic, analytical, and intellectual than
most. For the person seeking deeper meaning this may be very appealing and enlightening.
The Dawn of Conscience. James Henry Breasted. Scribner, 1933 reprinted 1950. 431 p. Some
ethical ideas common in the Judeo-Christian religion first appeared in Egypt.
Back to Contents
Temples & Religious Structures
(A good, popular overview about ancient Egyptian temples is lacking; yet, there is a clear need for
such a thing. See also entries under Architecture, Religion, and Sun Temples, listed above)
The Edifice of Taharqa. Richard A. Parker, Jean Leclant, Jean-Claude Goyon. Brown University
Press: Providence.
Ptolemaic Philae. Elena Vassilika. Leuven: Uitgeverij Peeters, 1989. 402 pages. "Informative book
on one of the loveliest sites in Egypt."
The World of the Pharaohs, Christine Hobson, Thames & Hudson, 1987. Short section on temples,
with diagrams.
Luxor: A Guide to Ancient Thebes, Jill Kamil, Longman, 1973, 1984. 175 p. "This gives excellent
in depth descriptions of the monuments - highly recommended." [DMNS Lib.]
The Egyptian Temple A lexicographical Study. Patricia Spencer. London, Boston, 1984.
Numerous hieroglyphic inscriptions.
Island of Isis. Philae, Temple of the Nile. Wm. MacQuitty. NY: Scribners 1976. 191 p. History
and rescue from Lake Nasser.
The Obelisks of Egypt, Labib Habachi, Scribner's Sons, 1977; Cairo 1984. "Excellent." Habachi
was a Chief Inspector of Antiquities.
Dendera, H. G. Fischer, Locust Valley, New York, 1968.
Abu Simbel, William McQuitty, Putnam's Sons, 1965.
Egyptian Wall Paintings from tombs and temples. UNESCO. Intro. by Christiane DesrochesNoblecourt. New York: New American Library of World Literature, 1962. [DMNS Lib.]
Tombs, Temples, and Ancient Art. Joseph Smith. ed. by Corinna Smith. Norman: University of
Oklahoma Press, 1956.
"The Consecration of an Egyptian Temple according to the use of Edfu." A. M. Blackman & H.
W. Fairman. Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, 32, 75-91, 1946.
Back to Contents
Scholarly (or hard to find)
Kings at Karnak. A Study of the Treatment of the Monuments of Royal Predecessors in the Early
New Kingdom. Gunner Björkman. Uppsala, 1971. Wonderful foldout maps of the site during the
early New Kingdom.
"The status of early Egyptian temples." D. O'Connor. in The Followers of Horus: Studies
dedicated to Michael Hoffman. eds. R. Friedman and B. Adams. Oxford: Oxbow Books, 1992.
The Private Chapel in Ancient Egypt: a study of the chapels in the workmen's village at el Amarna
with special reference to Deir el Medina and other sites. Ann H. Bomann. London; New York:
Kegan Paul International, 1991. 144 p., 84 p. of plates.
Karnak, Agypten: Anatomie eines Tempels. Jean-Claude Golvin and Jean-Claude Goyon.
Tubingen: Ernst Wasmuth, 1990.
The Egyptian Mining Temple at Timna, B. Rothenberg, ed., 1988
Temples and Tombs of ancient Nubia: The International Rescue Campaign. general editor, Torgny
Säve-Söderbergh. Thames and Hudson, 1987.
"Luxor Temple and the Cult of the Royal ka." L. Bell. Journal Near Eastern Studies, 44, 251-294,
1985.
The Temple of Per Ramesses, E. P. Uphill, Warminster, 1984.
Les Temples de Karnak (2 vols). R. A. Schwaller de Lubicz, G. Mire, and V. Mire. Paris, 1982.
The Temples of Ancient Egypt, Nubia, and Mesopotamia: a comparative study. Michelle Lewis
Bassi. 1982. Thesis (M. A.), University of Colorado, Boulder, 1982.
The Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak. Harold Helson, edited by William Murnane. Chicago:
Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. 1981. [DMNS Lib. rare book]
"Survey of the Temple of Isis Mistress of the Pyramid at Giza", Michael Jones and Angela
Milward, Journal of the Society for the Study of Egyptian Antiquities, 12, 1982, 139-151.
The Temple of Mentuhotep at Deir el-Bahari: From the Notes of Herbert Winlock. Dieter Arnold.
Metropolitan Museum of Art Egyptian Expedition 21. 1979.
Deir El-Bahari, The Temple of Tuthmosis III, Jadwiga Lipinska, 4 vol. Warsaw, 1977.
The Temple of Dendur; a visit to ancient Egypt. Indianapolis, Bobbs-Merrill 1972 111 p.
Describes life of the ancient Egyptians and relates the story of the small temple that was moved to
the Met in New York when the Aswan Dam was built.
Medinet-Habu, vols I-VIII, Oriental Institute, University of Chicago, 19301970.
Le Petit Temple d'Abou Simbel. C. Desrouches-Noblecourt and C. Kuentz. Cairo: Centre de
Documentation et d'etude sur l'ancienne Egypte, 1968.
"The Osiris Temple at Abydos." B. Kemp. Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archaologisch Instituts
Kairo 23, 138-155, 1968.
Legacy of a Pharaoh the united effort to save Abu Simbel. Christine Trevor, Lippincott 1966.
Wall scenes from the mortuary chapel of the mayor Paser at Medinet Habu. Translated by
Elizabeth B. Hauser. Chicago, University of Chicago Press 1957 21 p. The Oriental Institute of the
University of Chicago. Studies in ancient Oriental civilization, no. 30.
Abu Simbel. Markaz Tasjil al-Athar al-Misriyah. Cairo, Centre of Documentation and Studies on
Ancient Egypt, 1960(?). English and French.
The Temple of Edfu. Markaz Tasjil al-Athar al-Misriyah. Cairo, Centre of Documentation and
Studies on Ancient Egypt, [196-?] 72 p. In Arabic, English, and French.
The Excavation of Medinet Habu (4 vols). Uvo Holscher. Chicago: Chicago University Press,
1934 - 1951. [Vol 2 is titled The Temples of the Eighteenth Dynasty, 1939].
"The Consecration of an Egyptian temple according to the use of Edfu." A. M. Blackman & H. W.
Fairman. Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, 32, 75-91, 1946.
Le temple de Dendara I. E. Chassinat. Cairo: l'Institut Francais d'Archeologie Oriental, 1934.
The Temple of the King Sethis I at Abydos. A. M. Calverly & M.F. Broome. London & Chicago:
Egyptian Exploration Society & The Oriental Institute, 1933-1959.
Excavations at Deir El Bahri 1911- 1931, Herbert E. Winlock, Macmillan 1942.
The Temple of King Sethos I at Abydos, A. M. Calverly and M. F. Broome, vols I-IV, London and
Chicago, 1933-1938.
The Aswan Obelisk. Reginald Engelbach. Cairo, 1932., and The Problem of the Obelisks: A Study
of the Unfinished Obelisk at Aswan. Reginald Engelbach. NY: George Doran, 1923. 134 p.
Egyptian Temples. Margaret Murray. London: Sampson Low, 1931. 246 p. 64 b&w plates.
Mycerinus: the Temples of the Third Pyramid at Giza. George A. Reisner. Cambridge, Mass.,
1931.
Luxor and its Temples. A. M. Blackman. London: Black, 1923. 200 p. 24 plates and 50 line
drawings.
The XIth Dynasty Temple at Deir El-Bahari, Edouard Naville and H. R. Hall, 3 vol. London,
1907-1913.
Hierakonpolis (2 vols). J. E. Quibell and F.W. Green. London: Quartich, 1900, 1902. Part I is
plates with notes by Petrie, part II is the text.
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Thebes, including Karnak, Luxor & west of Thebes
(See also books under "General," "Temples," and "Travel" for site descriptions)
The Tombs of the Nobles at Luxor. Lise Manniche. Cairo: American University in Cairo Press,
1988, 150 p. Originally published by British Museum Publications under the title City of the dead:
Thebes in Egypt. List of Theban tombs and their owners: p. 132-146.
City of the Dead: Thebes in Egypt. Lise Manniche. Chicago: University of Chicago Press London:
British Museum Publications, 1987. 150 p. ill. maps, photos.
The Topography of Thebes from the Bronze Age to Modern Times. Sarantis Symeonoglou.
Princeton. 334 p. The development of Thebes from archaeological and historical records; relations
to myths.
Luxor: A Guide to Ancient Thebes, Jill Kamil, Longman New York, 1984. "This gives excellent in
depth descriptions of the monuments - highly recommended."
Atlas of Ancient Egypt, John Baines and Jaromir Malek, Facts on File 1980, reprinted 1988, 240
p., 36 maps, 530 illustrations, $40.00.
Thebes of the Pharaohs: Pattern for Everyday Life, Charles F. Nims, London: Elek, 1965.
The Royal Necropolis of Thebes, Elizabeth Thomas, Princeton University, 1966.
The Rise and Fall of the Middle Kingdom in Thebes, H. E. Winlock, New York, 1947.
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Tombs, other than Pyramids, or Tombs at Thebes
The Tombs of Iteti, Sekhem’ankh, and Kaemnofert at Giza. Alexander Badawy. Berkeley, 1976.
The Tomb of Nyhetep-Ptah at Giza and the Tomb of Ankhm’ahor at Saqqara. Alexander Badawy.
Berkeley, 1978.
The Hidden Tombs of Memphis, Geoffrey T. Martin, Thames and Hudson, 1991, 216 p. New
discoveries of late New Kingdom nobles' tombs.
The Tomb of Pharaoh Seti I. E. Hornung. Zurich and Munich: Artemis, 1991.
Lost Tombs. Lise Manniche. Kegan Paul, 1988. Some 18th Dynasty tombs at Thebes were
described by early travelers but have since been "lost." "Fascinating"
The Fort Cemetery at Hierakonpolis: excavated by John Garstang. Barbara Adams, with a
contribution by Michael A. Hoffmann. London; New York: KPI; Distributed by Methuen, 1987.
258 p., 27 p. of plates.
The Pyramid Tomb of Hetepheres and the Satellite Pyramid of Khufu. Mark Lehner. Mainz and
Rheim, 1985.
Ancient Lives, John Romer, Holt, 1984. Surprisingly different from his excellent PBS series of the
same name; more detailed and refined. Valley of the Kings workmen's village.
Excavations at Saqqara: Northwest of Teti's pyramid N. Kanawati et al., Sydney: The Ancient
History Documentary Research Centre, Macquarie University, 1984 illus.
The Tomb Builders of the Pharaohs. M. L. BierBrier. Charles Scribners, 1982. [DMNS Lib.]
The Rock Tombs of El-Hawawish: the cemetery of Akhmim Naguib Kanawati. Sydney, N.S.W.,
Australia: Macquarie Ancient History Association; Warminster, England: Aris and Phillips, 1980.
Egyptian Wall Paintings from Tombs and Temples. UNESCO. Intro. by Christiane DesrochesNoblecourt. New York: New American Library of World Literature, 1962. [DMNS Lib.]
Archaic Egypt. W. B. Emery, 1961, 1985, Pelican. Dynasties I - II good information on mastabas
Tomb sculpture; four lectures on its changing aspects from Ancient Egypt to Bernini. Erwin
Panofsky. Edited by H. W. Janson. New York: H. N. Abrams 1964 319 p. 446 illus.
Wall Scenes from the Mortuary Chapel of the Mayor Paser at Medinet Habu. Translated by
Elizabeth B. Hauser. Chicago, University of Chicago Press 1957 21 p. illus., 3 plates.The Oriental
Institute of the University of Chicago. Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization, no. 30.
Tombs, Temples, and Ancient Art. Joseph Smith. ed. by Corinna Smith. Norman: University of
Oklahoma Press, 1956.
A History of the Giza Necropolis, vol 2: The Tomb of Hetep-heres. G. H. Reisner and W. S.
Smith. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard, 1955.
Great Tombs of the First Dynasty Kings, W. B. Emery, 3 vols., 1949-1958.
The Development of the Egyptian Tomb Down to the Accession of Cheops, George A. Reisner,
Cambridge, 1935.
Sept Tombeaux a l'est de La Grande Pyramid de Guizah. A. Fakhry. Cairo, 1935.
The Royal Tombs of the Earliest Dynasties (3 vols.). W.M. Flinders Petrie. London: Egyptian
Exploration Society Memoirs, 1900-1901.
Abydos, W.M.F. Petrie, London, 1902.
Archaic Mastabas, J. E. Quibell, Cairo, 1923.
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Travel Guides
Baedeker’s Egypt 1929. Karl Baedeker. 8th English ed. David & Charles: Newton Abbot, 1974.
Time machine back to Egypt during the 1920s.
A Concise Dictionary of Egyptian Archaeology. A Handbook for Students and Travellers. M.
Brodrick and A.A. Morton. 3rd ed. London, 1924. Old, but interesting nonetheless.
Guidebook. The Luxor Museum of Ancient Egyptian Art. Egyptian Antiquities Organization.
Cairo, 1978. Heavily illustrated booklet.
Ancient Egypt. Delia Pemberton. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 1992. 150 p. illus.
"Architectural guides for travelers."
Egypt, The Living Past, T. G. H. James, British Museum, 1992. Life in Egypt today and it's
connection to the past. Large format and fine color photos. Might be good for someone planning a
visit to Egypt.
Egypt Handbook, Kathy Hansen, Moon Publications, 1990. P. O. Box 3040, Chico CA 95927.
"Very good."
Sakkara and Memphis, Jill Kamil, New York: Longman, 1984. The author is a native Egyptian
woman. Highly recommended.
A Guide to the Antiquities of the Fayyum. Mary-Ellen Lane. Cairo: American University in Cairo
Press, 1985.
The Fayoum A Practical Guide. R. Neil Hewison. Cairo: American University in Cairo Press,
1984. [DMNS Lib.]
Luxor: A Guide to Ancient Thebes, Jill Kamil, Longman New York, 1984.
Upper Egypt: Historical Outline and Descriptive Guide to the Ancient Sites, Jill Kamil, Longman
1983. "This gives excellent in-depth descriptions of the monuments - highly recommended."
The Penguin Guide to Ancient Egypt. William J. Murnane. Penguin Books, 1983. 367 p. complete
travel guide, and short historical bits; well presented. "Excellent reference."
Blue Guide: Egypt, V. Seton-Williams and P. Stocks, Norton, 1983.
Say it in Arabic (Egyptian), Dover 22026-5 $3.50. 3.3 inch by 5.25 inch. About 150 p.
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Tutankhamun
(The first three books here are the best overviews; only Reeves' book is in print)
The Complete Tutankhamun: The King The Tomb The Royal Treasure. Nicholas Reeves. Thames
and Hudson, 1990. 224 p. 200 new photographs. The best single book on the subject. Excellent
and detailed description of the tomb and the contents; many illustrations. Reeves earned a Ph.D.
recently on this material; the dissertation is also available as noted below. Reeves also wrote a
picture book for children based on this work as well, and a biography of Carter.
The Tomb of Tut-ankh-Amen, Howard Carter and A.C. Mace, London: Cassell 1923 - 1933, 3
vols. The book by the man who found and excavated the tomb; lots of b&w photos. Out of print. It
took Carter years to clear the tomb and finish this book. The only complete description of the
tomb's contents until Reeves' book.
Life and Death of a Pharaoh: Tutankhamen. Christiane Desroches-Noblecourt. Paris; Boston: New
York Graphic Society, 1963. 312 p. 75 superb color illustrations. Noblecourt an Egyptologist, with
50 years experience digging. More readable and more background than Carter's. This was the best
illustrated book on Tut before Reeves' book came out. Many excellent color photos of artifacts.
"Now somewhat controversial," but the photos alone are worth the price.
After Tutankhamun: Research and Excavation in the Royal Necropolis at Thebes. edited and with
and introduction by C. N. (Carl Nicholas) Reeves; foreword by the Earl of Carnarvon. London;
New York: Kegan Paul, 1992. 211 p. 14 papers from a conference.
Valley of the Kings: the Decline of a Royal Necropolis. C.N. Reeves. London; New York: Kegan
Paul International: Distributed by Routledge, Chapman & Hall, Inc., 1990. xliii, 374 p. based on
Ph.D. dissertation.
Howard Carter, The Path to TutAnkhAmun, T.G.H James, 1992. Carter's life and work in Egypt
before he found the tomb.
Howard Carter Before TutAnkhAmun, Nicholas Reeves and John H. Taylor, Abrams, 1993. 200
illus, 80 in color. "wonderful book"
The Name of the Dead: TutAnkhAmun Translated, Hany Assaad, Bebben, 1979 "Excellent book
for hieroglyph students - doubles as a practical workbook."
TutAnkhAmun, Craftsmanship in Gold in the Reign of the King, Cyril Aldred, 1979.
The Gold of Tutankhamun. Kamal El Mallakh and Arnold Brackman. Newsweek, 1978. 332 p.
155 color photos, mostly of the golden objects, and 24 b&w photos by Harry Burton of the tomb.
Text is also good, including account of the discovery of the tomb. "The most sumptuous book
about the tomb of Tut."
TutAnkhAmun, His Tomb and Its Treasures, I. E. S. Edwards, New York, Metropolitan Museum,
1977. 256 p. With 103 original photos from the tomb by the Met's Harry Burton and 100 new color
photos.
Tutankhamun's Jewelry. I.E.S. Edwards. Metropolitan Museum, 1976. 48 p. 36 pieces shown in
color photos.
Treasures of Tutankhamun (catalog), Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1974 The Tut
exhibition catalog has beautiful photographs and good text, if you can find a used copy.
Treasures of Tutankhamun. I. E. S. Edwards. Viking, 1973; Ballentine 1976. [DMNS Lib.]
The Search for the Gold Of TutAnkhAmen, Arnold C. Brakeman, 1976, Pocket Books;
journalistic and exciting but balanced; the human story of this excavation. A few illustrations.
The Face of TutankhAmun, Christopher Frilling, 298 p., Faber and Faber, 1992. The modern
events and personalities surrounding the opening of the tomb. Many illustrations.
TutAnkhAmun The Untold Story, Thomas Hoving, 1978. Another fascinating book on the tomb
discovery.
The Shrines of TutAnkhAmen, Alexandre Piankoff. Harper and Row, 1955; 1962. Complete
translations of inscriptions on the shrines of Tut, and some photos and diagrams. [DMNS Lib.]
The "Tut'ankhamun Tomb Series," published by the Griffith Institute, Ashmolean Museum,
Oxford, includes the following titles (they cost a lot, as some $30.00 for a 62 page booklet.):
A Handlist of Howard Carter's Catalog of Objects in Tut'ankhamun's tomb. 1963. 30 p.
Hieratic Inscriptions from the Tomb of Tut'ankhamun. 1965. 37p.
Composite Bows from the Tomb of Tut'ankhamun. 1970. 68p.
Self Bows and Other Archery Tackle from the Tomb of Tut'ankhamun. 1982. 75 p.
The Human Remains from the Tomb of Tut'ankhamun. 1972. 63 p.
Chariots and Related Equipment from the Tomb of tut'ankhamun. 1985. 118 p.
Musical Instruments from the Tomb of Tut'ankhamun. 1976. 22 p.
Game Boxes and Accessories from the Tomb of Tut'ankhamun. 1982. 62 p.
Model Boats from the Tomb of Tut'ankhamun. 1990. 126 p. 38 plates.
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Valley of the Kings & Valley of the Queens
(Many books on Egyptian history, mummies, TutAnkhAmun, and religion have information about
this area)
The Complete Valley of the Kings. Tombs and Treasures of Egypt’s Greatest Pharaohs. Nicholas
Reeves and Richard H. Wilkinson. Thames & Hudson: New York, 1996.
Pharaoh's Workers: The Villagers of Dier El Medina. Leonard H. Lesko. Ithaca: Cornell Univ.
Press, 1994. 197 p.
In the Tomb of Nefertari: conservation of the wall paintings. Malibu, Calif.: Bianchi and
McDonald, J. Paul Getty Museum and The Getty Conservation Institute, 1992. 88 p.
After Tutankhamun: Research and Excavation in the Royal Necropolis at Thebes. edited and with
and introduction by C. N. (Carl Nicholas) Reeves; foreword by the Earl of Carnarvon. London;
New York: Kegan Paul, 1992. 211 p.
Howard Carter Before TutAnkhAmun, Nicholas Reeves and John H. Taylor, Abrams, 1992,
$30.00
Howard Carter, The Path to TutAnkhAmun, T.G.H James, 1992
Valley of the Kings: the Decline of a Royal Necropolis. C.N. Reeves. London; New York: Kegan
Paul International: Distributed by Routledge, Chapman & Hall, Inc., 1990. 374 p. Based on Ph.D.
dissertation.
The Tomb of Pharaoh Seti I. Erik Hornung. NY: Princeton Architectural Press, ca. 1990. 10 color
plates and 210 illustrations. [DMNS Lib.]
Valley of the Kings - Horizon of Eternity, Erik Hornung, Timken 1990, from the German "Tal der
Konige." Strong on religious symbols: very detailed - and some very bizarre - stuff here about the
underworld. Color photos of tomb paintings with explications.
Passage to Eternity. Arpag Mekitarian et al. Knokke, Belgium: Mappamundi, 1989. 191 p.
"Stunning photographs from some of the most beautiful tombs in Thebes."
The Tomb of Queen Tiyi. Theodore Davis. 90 p. ills., Republishes original 1910 report on KV 55,
with added introduction by Nicholas Reeves, and his bibliography on the subject. From KMT.
Valley of the Kings, John Romer, Holt, 1981, 1988. 293 p. "Very good." "Fascinating in every
respect."
Ancient Lives, John Romer, Holt, 1984. Surprisingly different from his excellent PBS series of the
same name; more detailed and refined. Valley of the Kings workmen's village Dier El Medina.
The Tomb Builders of the Pharaohs, Morris Bierbrier, British Museum 1982; Scribner's 1984. The
workmen's village Dier El Medina. [DMNS Lib.]
The Valley of the Kings, Jaroslav Cerny, Cairo, 1973.
The Royal Necropolis of Thebes, Elizabeth Thomas, Princeton University, 1966.
The Tomb of Ramesses VI. Alexandre Piankoff. NY: Pantheon, 1954. 2 vols. 459 p. 196 plates.
"All the inscriptions and decoration in one of the most popular and attractive tombs of the Valley
of the Kings."
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