Golden House Publications

The Old and Middle Kingdom tombs of Thebes are not well known, in comparison to those of the New Kingdom. This unique study describes the most important tombs of the Middle Kingdom, belonging to kings, queens and the royal court.

This booklet provides an introduction to one prehistoric Egyptian cemetery excavated in the early 20 th century. The Predynastic is, to many people, one of the more unfamiliar periods in ancient Egyptian history and this short overview aims to introduce some elements of the burial practices of the Predynastic. Whilst this period can be characterised by certain common themes it is also clear that there were regional trends. By looking a single site it is possible to begin to appreciate local diversity and this can add richness to our perception of the period which may otherwise be lost in broader accounts. Such variability can be seen in the different burial forms, body treatments and materials that were invested in the graves at the site of el-Gerzeh.

Much of the material upon which this book is based derives from the unpublished notes made by the excavator of the site. Although not intended as a comprehensive supplement to the limited site publication, it is still hoped that this booklet will add greater depth to the original account.

Though rarely visited by tourists, Lahun is one of the most famous modern place-names in Egyptian archaeology, because in 1889 Flinders Petrie uncovered nearby what is still today the largest known Middle Kingdom town – a site he called ‘Kahun’. In this new book the author, who has studied the hieratic papyri from Lahun over two decades, introduces the extraordinary plan and unique range of finds from the Petrie excavations of the town-site, alongside the other remarkable archaeological sites of the area: cemeteries of all ages from the Early Dynastic to the Roman Period, and, overshadowing them all, the pyramid of the burial complex built for king Senusret II, fourth king of the Twelfth Dynasty (reigned about 1882-1872 BC).

London 2005, 139+IV pages, paperback, 21.6 x 13.8 cm
ISBN 0955025613

Golden House Publications, Paperback, 63 pages 21.6 x 13.8 cm
UK price: 7.99 £ - US $ 22

A short introduction to this important late Middle Kingdom site;
includes the publication of a papyrus fragment mentioning the ruling queen Sobeknofru.
Discussion of late Middle Kingdom burial customs.

	Golden House Publications
	Books - Museum catalogues
	Egyptology - Archaeology