Ancient Egypt in 50 Discoveries

This volume presents the unique history of ancient Egypt through 50 artefacts discovered during excavations of the EES since its founding in 1882. They are brought together in this volume from global museums: from major collections as well as those that are a little less known. Readers will travel through three millennia of Egypt’s history from the Early Dynastic to the end of the Graeco-Roman Period uncovering the daily lives of the ancient Egyptians by investigating everyday items, as well as the elite objects of the ruling classes. Alongside these artefacts, further topics are unpacked relating to the history of Egypt and Egyptology as well as those characters that have played a role in the ‘discovery’ of ancient Egypt. Each object entry is written by an expert in their field and contributions already include several items from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Metropolitan Museum in New York as well as the University Museum of Kyoto, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, and Bolton Museum.

• Edited by Stephanie Boonstra
• Edited by Campbell Price

"I wish I'd written this book! Drawing on the objects, but also the archival material that shows how they were discovered, Ancient Egypt in 50 Discoveries tells the story both of ancient Egypt and of a very important part of the history of Egyptology. How do we know what we know about the ancient past in Egypt? This is the book to answer that question." Dr Chris Naunton, Egyptologist, writer and broadcaster "A fascinating exploration of how our understanding of ancient Egypt is fundamentally grounded in its material culture as revealed by archaeology - and how much of that archaeology stands to the credit of the Egypt Exploration Society." Prof. Aidan Dodson, University of Bristol "A compendium of superb scholarship and discovery. Ancient Egypt in 50 discoveries is a wonderful box of delights of scholarship and discoveries. This is a brilliant book and Ancient Egypt bursts from its pages in all its variety and complexity. Fascinating and unmissable." Professor Kate Williams, University of Reading "This small book reflects the huge impact the Egypt Exploration Society has made at both a local and international level. By showcasing artefacts in collections far beyond the usual museums, these are further enhanced by the society's rich archive of photographs, from the face of the builder of the Great Pyramid to everyday lives in the city of Nefertiti and Tutankhamun. And the book certainly lives up to its subtitle 'Highlights from the first century of the Egypt Exploration Society', its content and accessible format further evidence that this very special organisation remains at the forefront of Egyptology well into the 21st century too." Professor Joann Fletcher, University of York, EES Lead Local Ambassador & EES Building the Future Campaign Champion "Ancient Egypt in 50 Discoveries takes the reader on a stroll though the past pausing to examine the stuff that ancient lives were made of, unusual artefacts unearthed during the 19th century excavations of the Egypt Exploration Society. Like the best strolls, this one is leisurely and the companions memorable, authors of succinct, informed commentaries situating an exceptional collection, whose assembly has itself become an Egyptological artefact, in the updated histories of Egypt and its study." Maria Golia, author of A Short History of Tomb-Raiding (Reaktion Book, UK 2022) "This book represents a valuable overview of key discoveries from ancient Egypt in the history of the Egypt Exploration Society. But it provides more than a list of artefacts; it situates and contextualises them within a broader framework and also engages with the colonial attitudes and socio-political structures that led to their removal from Egypt." Dr Nicky Nielsen, Senior Lecturer in Egyptology, University of Manchester
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