Discovering Tutankhamun: From Howard Carter to DNA

This is an interesting book that I can almost heartily recommend. It should be of value to the general reader and is also a nice book for those whose studies are more specialized. Of course, a lot of the information regarding the tomb of Tutankhamun has already been published way too many times. However, much of the generally available information is now hopelessly out of date, and many so-called facts and interpretations and theories have recently been disproved. This book does include virtually all of the latest discoveries. For instance, the latest information on the fate of Nefertiti, both in a historical sense and in an archaeological sense, is included.The information is clearly stated and easy to read. It is intended for a general audience and more technical information is absent.The photographs are generally of good quality, but they are spread out across the page, overlapping each other. In many, the backgrounds have been Photoshopped out, leaving some odd edges. I suppose this is intended to look modern and interesting, but a more static layout would have better served the details and the aesthetic appearance. This is a small complaint, assuming you already own one of the many beautifully presented books detailing the objects in Tutankhamun’s tomb.I purchased this book primarily because of the DNA reference in the title. The original DNA test results were expertly published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. However, that article was not all inclusive. I had expected to find in this new book all the results and interpretations of the DNA material of all the related mummies. This book does deal with the examination of Tut, the two female fetuses in the tomb, the body in KV 55, Amenhotep III, Yuya and Tuya, the two ladies from KV 21, and the two ladies from KV 35. Whereas the JAMA article gave the scientific evidence, this book simply gives the general results as interpreted by the team. I was very disappointed to find that this book does not include all the results, as it is stated that the study of “mtDNA and other genetic data” is still in progress and a new publication will provide that information. It also will “address the issue of DNA decay.” That seems to make the publication of this book a bit premature. I’m not sure why Hawass didn’t wait until all the information was available. I suspect it was either to fulfill a contract or just a moneymaker.The book title is also a bit misleading in that several parts of the book do not deal directly with Tutankhamun. A few of those chapters are very interesting, especially the one on KV63 and KV64 and other recent excavations in the Valley of the Kings. Although that chapter’s title, too, is a misnomer as it also deals with the discoveries outside of the Valley, such as at Kom el-Hitan and Medinet Habu.Chapter titles are as follows:The Golden Age of Egypt: Dynasty 18Religion and Life After DeathRobbers in the Valley of the KingsThe Tomb and its TreasuresTutankhamun’s MummyThe Discovery of the Family of TutankhamunThe Valley of the Kings and Finds after the Discovery of TutankhamunThe Curse of TutankhamunTutmaniaConclusion

This book covers the range of kings from the Old Kingdom to Tutankhamun. It goes on to tell the story of Howard Carter's discovery to the opening of the tomb. I have Carter's Treasue of Tutankhamun but this book covers even more. Objects never seen before are shown A family history regards to his DNA is listed and the weaknesses in his genetics that came from the closeness of relationship his parents had, and the problems thatit created that lead to his death, where anyone else might have lived. That was the saddest part reading. Zahi rerally put a lot into this book of interest.

An excellent Coverage from 1922 to present with Excellent Photos of the main artifacts and coverage of discoveries in the valley of the Kingssince Tutankhamen. Hawass is an excellent writer (and Lecturer) has done Excavations himself and Has also been director of antiquitiesso one could say the story is covered from all sides by perhaps the leading Egyptian Egyptologist

This large book is filled with thrilling facts about Egypt and beautiful pictures. Information on King Tut and discoveries of tombs in the area is priceless. I am going to hear Dr Hawass lecture on Discovering Tutankhamun in the near future, and am hoping he will autograph this beautiful work.

Exactly what I needed

Enjoyed the book very much. Illustrations were really good

nice pictures, nice text, the information contained is an expansion of previous works but it is very nice to have that all in one volume

Zahi Hawass is both knowledgeable and interesting, a rare combination in archeology.

内容的には、ハワスがＳＣＡの長官期間中の調査をまとめたもので、ディスカバリーチャンネルなどの内容とほぼ同じです。タイトルから想像できるツタンカーメン関連・・・だけではありません。同じ王家の谷でもＫＶ６３についての記事もありますし、ＫＶ５の記事もあります。ただ、研究者でもないかぎり、そうそう見ることができない珍しい写真が多数含まれているので、これは買っても損はないでしょう。星３つにしましたが、あと半分加えてもいいかもしれません。

Glossy book, well produced if just a little lacking in the DNA details, which one would have expected to be in more depth.

It was a present for my daughter. She loves it

Very good

Discovering Tutankhamun is a very good book providing a great deal of information with magnificent photographs throughout. Sadly the area where Zahi Hawass does not go into much detail is in the dna results done on Tutankhamun and mummies suspected to be his immediate family. As the results themselves are subject to controversy Hawass tries to keep speculation at a minimum. Apart from that it is well thought out book that will be of interest to any amateur Egyptophile. Much appreciated is a section of the most recent excavations in the Valley of the Kings and Hawass has also included a section on which Museum in Egypt the Tutankhamun artifacts are housed in which will help tourists be able to more easily view the objects they are hoping to see. This is defnitely worth the read