930 Archaeology
Silverman, David P. (Ed.). Ancient Egypt. (Illus.) NY: Oxford University Press, 1997. 256pp. $35.00. 96-37171. ISBN 0-19-521270-3. Glossary; Index; C.I.P.
JH, YA, GA +
For centuries, Egypt has held a fascination that has never waned. New information about Egyptian civilization continues to be uncovered through the work of historians and archaeologists: Heretofore unknown materials are discovered, and old materials are given new interpretations. In Ancient Egypt, a team of Egyptologists presents countless facets of that world under the editorial leadership of David P. Silverman. The Nile and its bounty, the history of reigns, unity, and disunity, invasions, building projects, philosophy, spiritual beliefs and rituals, the role of women, and aesthetic expressions and symbols are all presented in three sections divided into 15 chapters written by a number of scholars. A work of this scope can only hope to give us a glimpse into a civilization that bridged the Mediterranean to Africa and to Asia. It is remarkable that the achievements of Egypt were attained without a complex technology, advanced mathematics, or a highly developed metallurgy. What allowed for ancient Egypt's endurance and resilience are a number of interwoven factors, amongst which were the agricultural economy resulting from the Nile's yearly renewal and the belief in a strong connection between life on earth and the goings-on of the gods, rendered present in the person of the pharaoh. In addition to the very succinct information included, the book has resorted to presenting much of the material through anecdotal and thematic segments; these paragraphs give the text a more accessible and personal quality and add detail to our vision of ancient Egypt. The text is generously illustrated with countless photographs and drawings and contains maps, plans, and time charts, as well as a glossary. The book is designed to serve as a guide to general readers interested in recent views on Egypt. As with all texts of this nature, new discoveries will (and have already) surface(d), making some of the information incomplete.—Winifred Lambrecht, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI
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