This book 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 beautifully illustrated 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. 90 illustrations.
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. Contributions include several items from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Metropolitan Museum in New York as well as the University Museum of Kyoto, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, and Bolton Museum.
Price: £25.00
Pages: 254
Publisher: Egypt Exploration Society
Imprint: Egypt Exploration Society
Publication Date:
01 September 2025
ISBN: 9780856982583
Format: Paperback
BISACs:
Archaeology by period / region, Ancient history
Dr Stephanie Boonstra was the Collections Manager of the Egypt Exploration Society and the Managing Editor of the Journal of Egyptian Archaeology. She has since relocated to Berlin where she is a researcher on an international project focused on glass and metals production at the ancient site of Amarna.
Dr Campbell Price is Curator of Egypt and Sudan at the Manchester Museum, one of the UK’s largest Egyptology collections. In this role Campbell confronts daily the public (mis)perception of Ancient Egypt, and aims to explain aspects of the culture and why it matters today. He believes the EES is a key vehicle for engagement with broader audiences in the UK and Egypt.
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Pre- and Early Dynastic Period (c. 4400–2686 BCE)
1. Rhomboid cosmetic palette
2. D-Ware vessel
3. C-Ware vessel / ‘The Hippo Bowl’
4. Jewellery of King Djer
5. Funerary stela of Meretneith
6. Ivory statuette of an early king
7. Label of Hemaka
8. Saqqara Great Tombs
• Chapter 2: The Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period (c. 2686–2125 BCE)
9. Statuette of Khufu
10. Pair statue of Nenkhefetka and Nefershemes
11. Beer jar
12. Pepiankh Heny Kem reliefs
• Chapter 3: The Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period (c. 2055–1550 BCE)
13. Watercolours of Howard Carter
14. Montuhotep II’s decorated temple wall fragments
15. Soul-house (offering tray)
16. Statues of Senwosret III
17. Ankh stela
18. Apotropaic wand
• Chapter 4: The New Kingdom (c. 1550–1069 BCE)
19. Fragmentary statue of Senenmut
20. Votive cat plaque
21. Senet game board
22. Hathor shrine
23. Shrine of Panehsy
24. Unfinished head of Nefertiti
25. Lintel of Hatiay
26. Multicoloured glass bottle
27. Stela of Tutankhamun (?)
28. Memphite tomb of Horemheb
29. Temple of Seti I and the Osireion
30. Sphinx of Amenemhat III reinscribed by Sethnakht and Ramesses III
• Chapter 5: The Third Intermediate and Late Periods (c. 1070–332 BCE)
31. Fragments of ancient capital cities
32. Block statue of Ankh-khered-nefer
33. Coffin set of Nesmutaatneru
34. Funerary cone of Montuemhat and Shepenmut
35. Pyramidion
36. Shabti of Montuhotep
37. ‘Scarab factory’ scarabs and scaraboids
38. Alabaster figurine
39. Kneeling statue of Bakennanefu
40. Bronze hypocephalus
41. Mummified ibis bird
42. Figurine of Isis and Horus
• Chapter 6: The Graeco-Roman Period (332 BCE–395 CE)
43. Clepsydra (water clock) naming Alexander the Great
44. Stela of Ptolemy V
45. Wheeled wooden horse
46. Funerary masks
47. Panel painting of a woman
48. Woolen sock
49. Charioteers papyrus
50. Coptic translation of Homer’s Iliad
• Further Reading
• Chronology of Egypt
