Mark Lehner - Böcker

The inside story, told by the archaeological detectives themselves, of the extraordinary discovery of the world’s oldest papyri – revealing how King Khufu’s men built the Great Pyramid at Giza. Pierre Tallet’s discovery of the Red Sea Scrolls – the world’s oldest surviving written documents – in 2013 was one of the most remarkable moments in the history of Egyptology. These papyri, written some 4,600 years ago, combined with Mark Lehner’s research and theories, change what we thought we knew about the building of the Great Pyramid at Giza. Here, for the first time, Tallet and Lehner together give us the definitive account of this astounding discovery. The story begins with Tallet’s hunt for hieroglyphic rock inscriptions in the Sinai Peninsula, leading up to the discovery of the papyri – the diary of Inspector Merer, who oversaw workers in the reign of Pharaoh Khufu – in Wadi el-Jarf, the site of an ancient harbour on the Red Sea. The translation of the papyri reveals for the first time exactly how the stones of the Great Pyramid were transported to Giza. Combined with Lehner's excavations of the recently unearthed harbour, the Red Sea Papyri have greatly advanced our understanding of how the ancient Egyptians were able to build monuments that survive to this day. Tallet and Lehner narrate this thrilling discovery and explore how the building of the pyramids helped create a unified state, propelling Egyptian civilization forward. This lavishly illustrated book captures the excitement and significance of these seminal findings, conveying above all how astonishing it is to discover a contemporary eye-witness testimony to the creation of the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World.With over 200 illustrations

The volume covers the 2005 season of clearing and mapping at the Khentkawes Town on the Giza Plateau, ongoing work on the 4th Dynasty settlement at the Lost City of the Pyramids (Heit el-Ghurob [HeG] site), and two other projects at the HeG site: conservation of a small residential structure and survey, mapping, and excavation of Late Period burials. The work at the HeG site encompasses excavations at the Wall of the Crow; in the area East of the Galleries; within the Royal Administration Building; and in the Western Town, Pottery Mound, House Units 1 and 3, and the Pedestal Building area.

Volume 1 includes a foreword by Zahi Hawass, a preface, a history of the project, three articles on the work to establish a survey grid over the Giza Plateau, and a preliminary ceramic report. There are also detailed reports on two excavation operations - Main Street and Gallery III.4 - along with short reports on the ceramics, lithics, flora, fauna, charcoal, and sealings from these areas. The volume is heavily illustrated with 196 line drawings (many of which are archaeological plans and sections) and 96 black and white photos. It also includes two large fold-out maps: a topographical map of the Giza Plateau and a map of the site.

Preliminary report on the Ancient Egypt Research Associates 2004 field season. The volume covers the 2004 season of clearing and mapping on the 4th Dynasty settlement at the Lost City of the Pyramids (Heit el-Ghurob [HeG] site) on the Giza Plateau. The work at the HeG site encompasses excavations north of the Wall of the Crow; in the area East of the Galleries; within the Royal Administration Building; and in the Eastern Town, the Western Dump, and areas around the Abu Hol Soccer Field.

GOP 3 offers preliminary excavation results from the 2006-2007 season at the Heit el-Ghurab (HeG) site of Giza and from clearing and mapping at the Khentkawes Town site. The volume includes the results of a ground-penetrating radar study by Glen Dash in the areas around the Valley Temples of Menkaure and Khafre, as well as near the Khentkawes Town. Mark Lehner's Capital Zone article discusses the geomorphological history of the Heit el-Ghurab site and the Khentkawes Town at Giza as it relates to observations and conclusions about the flood plain and Nile flood levels, with an overall emphasis on the Old Kingdom, at Dahshur, in the Memphis/Saqqara area, near Giza and in the region of Ausim and Abu Roash. Bunbury, Lutley, and Graham offer an overall view of Giza's geomorphology, and Yukinori Kawae summarizes the 2006 three-dimensional laser scanning of the Khentkawes monument.

The volume covers the 2008 season of clearing and mapping at the Khentkawes Town (KKT) on the Giza Plateau, and survey, mapping, and excavation of burials in the area. The work at the KKT site encompasses excavations in both the Khentkawes complex and the Menkaure Valley Temple Ante-town. This volume also covers the 2008 results of the 3-D laser scanning of the Djoser Step Pyramid at Saqqara, under the combined auspices of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, Ancient Egypt Research Associates, Osaka University, and DEVELO Solutions of Osaka, Japan.

During 2009, the Giza Plateau Mapping Project carried out excavations at two sites as part of its ongoing research program: 1) the settlement connected to the Khentkawes Monument on the Giza Plateau and 2) the nearby town, Heit el-Ghurab (aka Lost City of the Pyramids). The 2009 work yielded some important discoveries such as evidence that the 4th Dynasty Khentkawes Town was in fact occupied into the 5th Dynasty with reoccupation later, probably in the 6th Dynasty. The major discovery was the remains of a previously unknown valley complex off the east end of the Khentkawes Town made up of corridors, ramps, and stairs descending into a depression that may prove to be a harbor. This collection of papers by archaeologists and specialists details the results of the excavations and additional work carried out in 2009. The book is well illustrated with abundant maps and photographs, along with large foldout maps and isometric drawings.