Discovering Tutankhamun: From Howard Carter to DNA

by Zahi Hawass

Penned by a scholar who was personally involved in research into the enigmatic young pharaoh, this comprehensive and fully illustrated new study reviews the current state of our knowledge about the life, death, and burial of Tutankhamun in light of the latest investigations and newest technology. Zahi Hawass places the king in the broader context of Egyptian history, unraveling the intricate and much debated relationship between various members of the royal family, and the circumstances surrounding the turbulent Amarna period. He also succinctly explains the religious background and complex beliefs in the afterlife that defined and informed many features of Tutankhamun’s tomb. The history of the exploration of the Valley of the Kings is discussed, as well as the background and mutual relationships of the main protagonists. The tomb and the most important finds are described and illustrated, and the modern X-raying and CT-scanning of the king’s mummy are presented in detail. The description of the latest DNA examination of the mummies of Tutankhamun and members of his family is one of the most absorbing parts of the book and demonstrates that scientific methods may produce results that cannot be paralleled by traditional Egyptology. “This is a work by a man who passionately loves Egypt’s past and is not afraid of controversy. There is nothing like reading a book that contains first-hand recollections and impressions, bringing to life an exacting academic topic. Dr Hawass does this in masterly fashion.”―from the Foreword by Jaromir Malek

Genres: History, Egypt, Nonfiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2013

Reviews

[Tash Turgoose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to meet Dr. Hawass late last year, when he presented a lecture on the topic of this book at the University of Sydney, and later he signed my copy. This book is an incredible insight into both the historical and scientific aspects of Tutankhamun, as it discusses of everything from DNA findings to his initial discovery by Howard Carter.

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[Bruno Pascon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book by Dr. Zahi Hawass going through in details all we need to know about the discovery and recording of Tutankhamun’s tomb, as well as all the following discoveries in The Valley of the Kings.