"The Trumpets of Tutankhamun" by Toby Wilkinson Publisher: CITIC Publishing Group

Introduction · · · · · ·
The tomb of the young pharaoh Tutankhamun is regarded as one of the greatest discoveries in Egyptian archaeology in the 20th century. After 15 years of hard searching, British archaeologist Howard Carter found it in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile River in Thebes, the capital of the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt, at the end of 1922. In the tomb, more than 5,000 exquisite funerary objects of various kinds were found, among which the pharaoh's golden mask, a set of golden coffins, and various ornaments made of gems and gold are particularly famous. Tutankhamun's tomb is no longer just an archaeological discovery, but also a cultural phenomenon that has lasted for a hundred years. Tutankhamun has also become the most famous of all Egyptian pharaohs because of these treasures, although he was unknown for thousands of years after his death.

In his book "The Trumpet of Tutankhamun", British Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson uses a unique perspective and entry point to look at this tomb and the unearthed objects. He did not focus on the well-known process of discovering the tomb, nor did he dwell too much on the short life of the young pharaoh and the political disintegration of Egypt during his reign. Instead, he introduced the brilliant ancient Egyptian culture and its far-reaching influence in detail through the pharaoh's burial objects. From more than 5,000 burial objects, he selected 100 objects, divided them into 10 groups, and comprehensively introduced all aspects of social life such as the natural environment, religious beliefs, royal politics, trade networks, science and technology, and daily life of the ancient Egyptian civilization according to 10 themes.

A chariot decorated with gold shows the advanced technology of Egypt at that time. Bread, baskets of fruit and wine jars reflect the richness of the Nile Valley and the abundance of banquets enjoyed by local people. Jewelry made of Nubian ebony and Libyan desert glass also shows that Egypt's trade was active and its diplomatic network was extensive. Shaving utensils and chessboards reveal a corner of people's daily life...

Today, the music of Tutankhamun's time, represented by the most moving object in the tomb, Tutankhamun's horn (silver horn), has been destroyed like the man himself, leaving only the echo of the past, a relic of that distant past. Fortunately, through these grave goods, we can still awaken Tutankhamun's world and the ancient Egyptian civilization that he represented as a symbol.

With its insightful insights, vivid narratives, and splendid cultural relics, this book depicts the history, people, and cultural heritage of ancient Egypt in a moving way. History, archaeology, art, and culture enthusiasts, as well as readers interested in Egypt during the Pharaoh era, will surely gain something from reading this book.