Searching for the Lost Tombs of Egypt

Where are the tombs of Alexander the Great or Cleopatra? Both rulers were buried in Egypt, but their tombs have never been found despite years of intensive research and excavation. Yet we have tantalizing clues. Searching for the Lost Tombs of Egypt describes the quest for these and other great ‘missing’ tombs – those we know existed, but which have not yet been identified. It also discusses key moments of discovery that have yielded astonishing finds and created the archetypal image of the archaeologist poised at the threshold of a tomb left untouched for millennia. In this gripping account, Chris Naunton explains the mysteries of the missing tombs and presents all the evidence, skilfully unravelling the tangled threads surrounding the burials of the heretic pharaoh Akhenaten and his son Tutankhamun, and the burial place of Imhotep, architect of the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, among others. Could other such tombs lie undiscovered in the Valley of the Kings? In fact, the Valley almost certainly does guard hidden treasures. Amazing finds of unsuspected tombs continue to occur there and elsewhere in Egypt, making headlines worldwide – all are covered in this book. As well as immersing the reader, step by step, in the action of the search and the thrill of discovery, the book also explores the reasons why tombs remain such a central part of both the popular perception of Egyptology and the continuing allure of ancient Egypt.

Table of Contents:
Introduction • 1. Imhotep: The man who became a god • 2. Visible to invisible: Amenhotep I and the transition to the Valley of the Kings • 3. The Enduring Fascination: Where are the missing Amarna royals? • 4. Herihor: A Tomb to ‘make Tutankhamun look like Woolworths’? • 5. A kingdom divided: The royal tombs of the Third Intermediate Period • 6. Buried three times in Egypt: The tombs of Alexander the Great • 7. The lost tomb of Cleopatra: A mausoleum lost underwater or a secret burial awaiting discovery? • Final Thoughts

About the Author :
Dr Chris Naunton is a distinguished Egyptologist, and has presented numerous television documentaries, including The Man Who Discovered Egypt (BBC4), Tutankhamun: The Mystery of the Burnt Mummy (Channel 4) and King Tut's Tomb: The Hidden Chamber (Channel 5). He was the Director of the Egypt Exploration Society from 2012 to 2016, and in 2015 he was elected President of the International Association of Egyptologists.

Review :
'Chris Naunton is my favourite Egyptologist. He makes the search for the lost tombs of Egypt as exciting as a novel' - Dan Snow, historian and author 'An absolutely essential book for those of us captivated by ancient Egypt’s enduring stories, and the modern quest to uncover its remaining secrets. Chris Naunton brilliantly walks the line between scholar and storyteller, balancing his deep knowledge with that tantalizing call to adventure which will keep you spellbound' - Dallas Campbell, broadcaster and author 'A highly readable narrative and well-chosen images. There is much to recommend here' - BBC History Magazine 'Tantalising … gorgeously illustrated' - Nature 'As well as immersing us in the action of the search and the thrill of discovery, this book also explains why tombs remain such a central part of both the popular perception of Egyptology and the continuing allure of ancient Egypt' - Timeless Travels 'A scholarly book … but it will also be of great interest to anyone who is fascinated by the ancient past and the enduringly memorable figures who populated it' - Shiny New Books