Lehner M. The Complete Pyramids: Solving the Ancient Mysteries

Thames & Hudson, 2001. — 257 p. — ISBN: 0500050848.For centuries the pyramids have inspired passionate theories about their origins, purpose and method of construction. In this fully work on the major pyramids of Ancient Egypt, the author surveys the history, building and use of the pyramids. He examines both the practicalities and logostics of their construction and their conceptual aspects - their cosmology and iconography and their intriguing texts. Other features include accounts of the latest discoveries by international teams working on the pyramids; discussion of the latest theories; chronology and history of Egypt and the pyramids; maps and site plans; a guide to visiting; computer generated perspective views of the interior of the pyramids; and quotations from ancient texts, early explorers and archaeologists.Pyramids, Land and People
Chronology
Map
Pyramids in the Landscape
The Giant Pyramids: Their Rise and Fall
The Standard Pyramid Complex
Tomb and Temple
The Ka, the Ba and the Body Embalmed
Burial Rituals and the Pyramid Complex
This World and the Netherworld
The Pyramid Texts
The Pyramid as Icon
Explorers and Scientists
Early Legends
Mythic History of the Copts and Arabs
The First European Discovery
Napoleon's Wise Men
Belzoni and Caviglia
Digging by Dynamite
Lepsius and Mariette
Petrie at the Pyramids
The Great Expeditions
Recent Discoveries
The Whole Pyramid Catalogue
Origins of the Pyramid - Hierakonpolis
Royal Tombs at Abydos
Archaic Mastabas Saqqara
Saqqara: An Overview
Djoser's Step Pyramid Complex
The Short Life of Step Pyramids
The First True Pyramids: Meidum and Dahshur
Giza: An Overview
The Great Pyramid of Khufu
Djedefre at Abu Roash
Return to Giza: Khafre's Pyramid and the Great Sphinx
Menkaure's Pyramid
The Passing of a Dynasty
The Pyramid of Userkaf
The Pyramids of Abusir
The End of the 5th Dynasty
Pyramids of the 6th Dynasty
Pyramids of the First Intermediate Period
Mentuhotep at Deir el-Bahri
The Pyramids at Lisht
The Second Phase of Middle Kingdom Pyramids
Mudbrick Pyramids
Late Middle Kingdom Pyramids
New Kingdom Pyramids
Ahmose at Abydos
'Private' Pyramids
Pyramids of Late Antiquity
[b The Living Pyramid[/b]
Supply and Transport
Quarries
The NOVA Pyramid-Building Experiment
Tools, Techniques and Operations
Survey and Alignment
Ramps
Rise and Run
Trouble at the Top
The Workforce
Building a Middle Kingdom Pyramid
Pyramid as Landlord
Pyramid Towns
Those Who Serve: Priests and Watchers
Loaves and Fishes
The Royal Workshops
Epilogue: The Legacy of the Pyramids
Visiting the Pyramids
Further Reading
Illustration Credits
Sources of Quotations