Every month we will update our readers on the most recent Egyptological publications. From accessible reads to peer-reviewed scholarship, we hope to illustrate the wide variety of topics discussed in Egyptology, and perhaps introduce you to your next read! Below are four newly released books from August (2017).

Edited by Elena Pischikova

AUC Press (ISBN: 9789774167249) – Cost: US $69.50

Publisher’s Summary:

This volume is the second joint publication of the members of the American–Egyptian archaeological team South Asasif Conservation Project, working under the auspices of the Ministry of State for Antiquities and directed by the editor. The Project is dedicated to the clearing, restoration, and reconstruction of the tombs of Karabasken (TT 391) and Karakhamun (TT 223) of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty, and the tomb of Irtieru (TT 390) of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty, on the West Bank of Luxor. This volume will cover the next three seasons of the work of the Project from 2012 to 2014. Essays by the experts involved in the work of the Project concentrate on new archaeological finds, reconstruction of the tombs’ decoration and introduction of the high officials who usurped the tombs of Karakhamun and Karabasken in the Twenty-sixth Dynasty. The volume focuses particularly on the reconstruction of the ritual of the Hours of the Day and Night and BD 125 and 32 in the tomb of Karakhamun, the textual program of the tomb of Karabasken, as well as Coptic ostraca, faience objects, pottery, and animal bones found in the necropolis. Contributors: Julia Budka, Mansour Bureik, Diethelm Eigner, Erhart Graefe, Kenneth Griffin, Salima Ikram, Matthias Müller, Paul Nicholson, Elena Pischikova, Miguel Molinero Polo.

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Garry J. Shaw

Pen & Sword Books (ISBN: 9781783030460) – Cost: £15.99

Publisher’s Summary:

The ancient Egyptians presented themselves as superior to all other people in the world; on temple walls, the pharaoh is shown smiting foreign enemies – people from Nubia, Libya and the Levant – or crushing them beneath his chariot. Officially, foreigners represented disorder and chaos – the opposite of Egypt’s perfect land of justice and order. But despite such imagery, from the beginning of their history, the Egyptians also enjoyed friendly relations with neighbouring cultures; both Egyptians and foreigners crossed the deserts and seas exchanging goods gathered from across the known world. They shared knowledge and technology, and sometimes settled abroad, marrying and acculturating. Through such interactions, the Egyptians influenced other cultures, and at the same time were themselves shaped by foreign contacts and external events. War & Trade with the Pharaohs explores Egypt’s connections with the wider world over the course of 3,000 years, introducing readers to ancient diplomacy, travel, trade, warfare, domination, and immigration – both Egyptians living abroad and foreigners living in Egypt. It covers military campaigns and trade in periods of strength – including such important events as the Battle of Qadesh under Ramesses II and Hatshepsut’s trading mission to the mysterious land of Punt – and Egypt’s foreign relations during times of political weakness, when foreign dynasties ruled parts of the country. From early interactions with traders on desolate desert tracks, to sunken Mediterranean trading vessels, the Nubian Kingdom of Kerma, Nile fortresses, the Sea Peoples, and Persian satraps, there is always a rich story to tell behind Egypt’s foreign relations.

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Richard Bussmann

Hodder & Stoughton (ISBN: 9781473609792) – Cost: £39.99

Publisher’s Summary:

Designed for complete beginners, and tested for years with real learners, Complete Middle Egyptian offers a bridge from the textbook to the real world, enabling you to learn the grammar, access inscriptions in documents and monuments and even teaching you how to draw hieroglyphs yourself. Structured around key artefacts and introducing both the original hieroglyphs and transliteration (for easier understanding) this course also features:

16 learning units plus pronunciation section, grammar reference, sign list overview and sign list explanation

Stepped progression

Clearly graduated progress through different levels of the language

Authentic materials – language taught through key artefacts and texts

Teaches the key skills – reading and understanding hieroglyphs

Culture insights – learn about the culture, society and politics of Middle Egypt

Self tests and learning activities – see and track your own progress

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Shih-Wei Hsu

Brill Publishers (ISBN: 9789004347793) – Cost: US $121.00

Publisher’s Summary:

In Bilder für den Pharao Shih-Wei HSU offers a thorough study of figurative expressions in ancient Egyptian texts, placing particular emphasis on royal inscriptions. This book is divided into three chapters. Chapter one consists of an introduction to the study of figurative language, examining the definition of this construct and discussing the differences between similes and metaphors in ancient Egyptian. Chapter two provides an overview of usage, function and purpose of figurative language in the different text genres. Chapter three contains the research and analysis of the figurative language found in the royal inscriptions. It acts as linguistic “decoration” for the king’s attributes and actions, reinforcing and sustaining the notion of kingship in Egypt.”

Do you know of any other Egyptology books released this month? Let us know if we missed any!