Narrative of the Operations and Recent Discoveries Within the Pyramids, Temples, Tombs, and Excavations, in Egypt and Nubia: And of a Journey to the Coast of the Red Sea, in Search of the Ancient Bere

Giovanni Belzoni proffered this work shyly, explaining that he hoped we would gain from the fidelity of his account. Its truthfulness and its unique capacity to bring us into close proximity with the history of the region. Do not be fooled by his claim that the work is inelegant however. Living in Thebes, the author was able to discern more about the famous tombs than many Europeans of his time. He observed, pried and sweet talked the local population into allowing him to see more than empty tombs and swiftly stashed shovels. He watched the comings and goings from his windows and records social unrest, quarantines and pads through hookah dens and coffee houses. Despite the danger and disease, we defy the reader not to yearn to join him.

Whilst this work has unquestionable historical merit, as a particular kind of primary source, it retains a character and charm that a mere recounting of the facts could not hope to convey. We peek into harems, peer through gates and witness fascinating anthropological events. We see matters of shifting etiquette across the region, attitudes to outsiders, gift customs, marital traditions, examples of defiance and acclimatisation.

The 'Narrative of the Operations and Recent Discoveries within the Pyramids, Temples, Tombs, and Excavations, in Egypt and Nubia' is the story of gentleman archeologist and his observations. Those with any love for biography, tales of long ago and far ago, history, anthropology or the poetry of a description of the sunrise can never be immune to this charming book.

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