Egyptologists Notebooks
"The idea of a kind of intact tomb, at a certain moment where the archaeologist breaks through the door and lifts up a lamp to reveal the glint of gold everywhere. That\u2019s become the defining moment for archaeology."\n\n\n\nWhat do we know about the people who explored and studied Egypt\u2019s ancient civilizations? The notebooks of well-known figures such as Howard Carter, who unearthed King Tut\u2019s tomb in 1919 and created stunning, detailed renderings of it, reveal how Europeans have tried for centuries to unravel the mysteries of Egypt\u2019s ancient languages, cultures, rituals, and monuments. The history of the exploration of Egypt tells not only of our drive to understand the ancient world, but also the political machinations and contests that motivated such exploration.\n\n\n\nChris Naunton\u2019s new book, Egyptologists\u2019 Notebooks: The Golden Age of Nile Exploration in Words, Pictures, Plans, and Letters, uses the often-beautiful records of early explorers and archaeologists from the 17th through 20th centuries to give insight into their discoveries. In this episode, Naunton discusses some of the key figures in Egyptology, highlighting their contributions to the field and to our contemporary understanding of ancient Egypt.\xa0\n\n\n\nFor images, transcripts, and more, visit getty.edu/podcasts.