2

The Specialist in Egypt for over 30 years

162 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7JP Tel: 0208 741 9222 - Fax: 0208 741 9292

Email: egypt@solimantravel.com www.solimantravel.com

ANCIENT EGYPT April/May 2010 f e a t u r e s

From our Egypt Correspondent Ayman Wahby Taher brings you the latest news from Alexandria, Giza, Saqqara, Abydos, Dendera and Luxor. 9

18

An Alabaster Coffin and Sety I’s Last Secret Stephen Cross looks at Sety’s coffin and finds that the circumstances of its discovery and its condition may indicate that the king’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings may still hide some secrets.

26

Thoroughly Modern Mummies Dr. Ryan Metcalfe reveals how modern science and experiments are revealing more about ancient mummification techniques.

30 Amarna Update A brief update on recent excavation and conservation in the city of Akhenaten and Nefertiti.

32 Per Mesut: for younger readers A Sense of Smell – ancient perfumes and scented flowers described by Hilary Wilson.

34

Life in Paradise: Tombs of the Nobles at Thebes In edited extracts from his new book The Lost Tombs of Thebes: Life in Paradise, Dr. Zahi Hawass describes the exquisite and sometimes little-known Tombs of the Nobles at Thebes, and reports on new discoveries and conservation work in the area.

46

The Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan at the British Museum In one of a series of articles on the work of the BM, Dr. Daniel Antoine looks at Life and Death in the Nile Valley – Bioarchaeological Research at the British Museum, including reports on some new studies on human remains from Sudan.

52

Tutankhamun’s Family DNA tests on their mummies enable five generations of his family tree to be reconstructed.

Highclere Castle Competition – see enclosed leaflet and Page 67.

Maps of Egypt and Timeline

News from the Editor

Readers’ Letters & Feedback

Competitions

Netfishing

45

8

16, 29 & 67

25

re g u l a r s

Back Issues

How to Subscribe

Book Reviews

Egyptology Society Details

Events Diary

56

57

58

62

64

C O N T E N T S

A N C I E N T E G Y P T www.ancientegyptmagazine.com

April/May 22010 VOLUME 10, NNO 5: IISSUE NO. 559

EDITOR: Robert B. Partridge, 6 Branden Drive, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8EJ, UK

Tel. 01565 633106 Email: ancientegyptmag@aol.com DEPUTY EDITOR/PRODUCTION EDITOR:

Peter Phillips CONSULTANT EDITOR: Professor Rosalie David, OBE

STAFF CONTRIBUTORS: Victor Blunden, Peter Robinson,

Hilary Wilson EGYPT CORRESPONDENT: Dr. Ayman Wahby Taher

PUBLISHED BY: Ancient Egypt Magazine Ltd.

1 Newton Street, Manchester, M1 1HW, UK

Tel: 0161 872 3319 Fax: 0161 872 4721

Email: info@ancientegyptmagazine.com

ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER:

Michael Massey Tel. 0161 928 2997

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Mike Hubbard 0161 872 3319

PRINTED BY: Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings,

Manor Lane, Bourne, Lincolnshire,

PE10 9PH, UK DESIGN AND SETTING: Peartree Publishing and Design,

56 Albert St, Manchester, M11 3SU, UK

FRONT COVER DESIGNED BY:

David Soper Main Image: PaintingfromtheTombof

MennaatThebes. Photo: RP. TRADE DISTRIBUTION THROUGH: Diamond Magazine Distribution Ltd.

Rye Wharf Road, Harbour Road, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7TE, UK

Tel: 01797 225229 Fax: 01797 225657

ISSN: 11470 99990

ANCIENT EGYPT April/May 2010

3