EGYPTOLOGY

This title in the In Ancient Egypt series is a terse but informative introduction to ""the study of the language, art, history and culture of the ancient Egyptians."" Ikram chronicles the rise of interest in the country from about 200 years ago when Napoleon Bonaparte and his army tried to conquer Egypt. They brought back many antiquities from Egypt (which would not be permitted today), and Europeans became excited about studying ancient Egypt. Also explained is the use of hieroglyphs and the significance of the discovery of the Rosetta Stone: Once hieroglyphs were translated, the study of ancient Egypt began in earnest. Ikram also discusses the locating of sites, the organizing of digs, the conducting of surveys, and the carrying out of actual digs, right down to the transporting of objects and the filing of reports. Realistic, full-color illustrations and photographs illuminate the text throughout; this thoughtful book is sure to launch budding archaeologists.