The Tomb of Tutankhamen

When I did honours in Classics I was forced to take a module on Ancient Egypt because the Head of the Department was potty about the subject: my motherwas also an enthusiast so I had been brought up learning about tombs, temples and treasures, Pharoahs and pyramids, and had no wish to study it on a more formal basis.

Needless to say, my wished counted for nothing and I was plinged into an intense six months during which I had a crash course in Egyptology and had to examine Egyptian art in excrusiating detail. No knowledge is ever wasted and I'm glad I was forced to do it, but I must admit to finding much of it rather boring at the time.

Because his tomb was largely unplundered, Tutankhamen and his treasures form a large part of any study of Egyptian artifacts: pectorals, collars, bracelets, earrings, girdles, necklaces, anklets; chairs, chariots, beds, stools, screens, board games; vases, statues, canoptic jars, lamps, caskets, Gods, statues, toys, models and shawabti figurines - I grew to know the lot.

I also knew the story behind the discovery of the tomb backwards - who doesn't? - and was really not keen to read Carter's book on the subject. I must admitt though, cliched as this sounds - it reads like a thriller, was a real page turner, and I could hardly put it down.

I wish my copy was better bound - the pages were coming out - and that it was lighter and more handy so I could read it in bed: on the other hand, a smaller book - while more handy - would not be able to contain the plethora of magnificent illustration, both colour and black and white.

Howard Carter may have been a rogue, an adventurer and a thief but he certainly knew how to tell a good story! Despite my misgivings and reluctance, I ended up enjoying this book thoroughly! ( )