Title: The complete pyramids /
Authors: Lehner, Mark.
Publisher: Thames and Hudson,
Year: 1997
Subjects: Pyramids Egypt
Abstract: Discusses the origin and development of the Egyptian pyramids, describes their role in Egyptian religion and culture, profiles pyramid explorers, and explains how they were built.
Contents: Pyramids, land and people -- Pyramids in the landscape -- The giant pyramids : their rise and fall -- The standard pyramid complex -- Tomb and temple. The Ka, the Ba and the body embalmed ; Burial rituals and the pyramid complex ; This world and the netherworld ; The pyramid texts ; The pyramid as icon -- Explorers and scientists. Early legends ; Mythic history of the Copts and Arabs ; The first European discovery ; Napoleon's wise men ; Belzoni and Caviglia ; Digging by dynamite ; Lepsius and Mariette ; Petrie at the pyramids ; The great expeditions ; Recent discoveries -- The whole pyramid catalogue. Origins of the pyramid : Hierakonpolis ; Royal tombs at Abydos ; Archaic mastabas at Saqqara ; Saqqara : an overview ; Djoser's step pyramid complex ; The short life of step pyramids ; The first true pyramids : Meidum and Dahshur ; Giza : an overview ; The great pyramid of Khufu ; Djedefre at Abu Roash ; Return to Giza : Khafre's pyramid and the great sphinx ; Menkaure's pyramid ; The passing of a dynasty ; The pyramid of Userkaf ; The pyramids of Abusir ; The end of the 5th dynasty ; Pyramids of the 6th dynasty ; Pyramids of the First Intermediate Period ; Mentuhotep at Deir el-Bahri ; The pyramids at Lisht ; The second phase of Middle Kingdom pyramids ; Mudbrick pyramids ; Late Middle Kingdom pyramids ; New Kingdom pyramids ; Ahmose at Abydos ; "Private" pyramids ; Pyramids of late antiquity -- The living pyramid. Supply and transport ; Quarries ; The NOVA pyramid-building experiment ; Tools, techniques and operations ; Survey and alignment ; Ramps ; Rise and run ; Trouble at the top ; The workforce ; Building a Middle Kingdom pyramid ; Pyramid as landlord ; Pyramid towns ; Those who serve : priests and watchers ; Loaves and fishes ; The royal workshops -- Epilogue : the legacy of the pyramids -- Visiting the pyramids.