After the Pyramids: The Valley of the Kings and Beyond

by Aidan Dodson

A chronological overview of the funerary monuments of Egypt, beginning with the last pyramids and ending with the tombs of the Ptolemaic Periods in the Nile Delta. The architecture and decoration of the tombs, along with their contents, are discussed in detail, including the results of more recent excavation in the Valley of the Kings. The discussion is accompanied by numerous photographs of the tombs, their artwork and plans of the funerary complexes which show the development of both architectural styles and religious beliefs.

Genres: Egyptology, Nonfiction

234 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Aidan Dodson is Honorary Professor of Egyptology in the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology at the University of Bristol, UK, was Simpson Professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo in 2013, and Chair of the Egypt Exploration Society during 2011–16. Awarded his PhD by the University of Cambridge in 1995, he was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 2003. He is the author of some twenty-five books, including Sethy I, King of Egypt: His Life and Afterlife (AUC Press, 2019), Rameses III, King of Egypt: His Life and Afterlife (AUC Press, 2019), Amarna Sunrise: Egypt from Golden Age to Age of Heresy (AUC Press, paperback edition, 2016), Afterglow of Empire: Egypt from the Fall of the New Kingdom to the Saite Renaissance (AUC Press, paperback edition, 2020), Poisoned Legacy: The Fall of the 19th Egyptian Dynasty (AUC Press, paperback edition, 2016), Amarna Sunset: Nefertiti, Tutankhamun, Ay, Horemheb, and the Egyptian Counter-Reformation (AUC Press, paperback edition, 2018), and Monarchs of the Nile (AUC Press, paperback edition, 2015). Professor Dodson has also written on naval history from the middle of the nineteenth century to the present day.

Reviews

[Sean McLachlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks at the development of royal tombs from the little-studied final pyramids through the Valley of the Kings and on to the final above-ground tombs in the Nile Delta. The Greco-Roman period is only treated very lightly but the rest of this vast time span is covered in detail. I especially like the detail given to the complicated Intermediate Periods, which some other writers tend to gloss over.

One of the best features of this book are the many photos and floor plans of the tombs, giving the reader a good idea of how they were laid out. The text is very detailed and clearly written.

This is not a book for the novice. It assumes some knowledge, such as what a rishi coffin is, and there is no general map of Egypt. Any archaeology buff or amateur Egyptologist will have no problem, however, and it is this audience that Dodson seems to be targeting.

My only criticism is that the dates and number of regnal years for some pharaohs cited in the text disagree with the chronology in the back. I understand that these are a matter of some controversy, but they should at least be consistent in a single book.

I recommend this book for anyone with a deep interest and some knowledge of Ancient Egypt.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a comprehensive look at the funerary monuments, practices and traditions of the ancient Egyptian kings.
Brilliantly highlighted with drawings, photographs of beautiful statuary, the sarcophogi and even tomb constructs through the ages.
From the decline of the pyramids down to the tombs of the intermediate, the dynasties and ptolemaic periods.
Finely detailed with exhaustive research this was a treasure trove of information.
Very interesting for anyone who is into the subject of the Egyptians and their practices.
Brilliant read.

[Erika Ordonez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a novice in angient Egypt history, only have certain knowledge, but I think enough to fully understand this book. It is easy to read and very picturesque, by imagination and actual pictures in the book. Very descriptive.. I was very confused though at the last chapter 'Delta Finale' it felt rushed and skipped from dynasty to dynasty with very few details, kinda made it hard to remember who was who, Hopefully it's because most of these details still remain to be discovered, but this chaper totally changes the pace of the book. One thing I absolutely loved is an appendix called 'Chronology' where they have the pharaohs from every dynasty, their prenomen, nomen andhow many years they ruled! Very helpful ☺

[Russell Hall]

A good but brief overview of the royal tombs of Ancient Egypt. The pairing of the tomb with the mortuary temple was very nice and the drawings of the author added much to the book. I especially appreciated the descriptions of the later tombs of the Delta Kings which are so often skipped as they were not interred in the Valley of the Kings.