Six thousand years ago ancient Egypt was the cradle of modern civilisation. Powerful pharaohs built great cities on the fertile banks of the Nile, and employed thousands of labourers to create lavish tombs and temples such as Thebes and the pyramids of the Giza plateau. The exceptional beauty and scale of ancient Egypt’s antiquities still draws millions of visitors to Egypt’s museums and monuments each year. The Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt is a celebration of these wonders, from Tutankhamun’s tomb to Cleopatra’s obelisks, from ancient papyrus scrolls covered with hieroglyphs to golden amulets in the form of ankhs and scarabs. The book also uncovers ancient Egyptian life – from the role of women and the form of an Egyptian wedding banquet, to the weights, measures and currencies used in everyday trading – and explores the modern archaelogy taking place on the ancient sites revealing the Egyptians’ artefacts and tools.

With a combination of modern, specially commissioned colour illustrations and images of Egyptian antiquities and treasures alongside a detailed history of the civilisation to put it all into context, the world of the pharaohs is brought to life in vivid detail. For intrigued adults or fascinated children alike, The Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt provides a wealth of information about the riches of the ancient world.