About this item

Digital PDF Book Formats.
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER.

Item description from the seller

In "Women in the Valley of the Kings: The Untold Story of Women Egyptologists in the Gilded Age," Kathleen Sheppard shines a long-overdue spotlight on the pioneering women who defied societal norms and contributed significantly to the field of Egyptology during the so-called Golden Age of Exploration.

Sheppard challenges the prevailing narrative dominated by male Egyptologists like Howard Carter, who famously discovered King Tutankhamun's tomb, by uncovering the forgotten stories of women who laid the foundation for Egyptological study. Beginning with trailblazers such as Amelia Edwards, Jenny Lane, and Marianne Brocklehurst, Sheppard explores how these early European travelers documented their experiences in Egypt through travelogues, diaries, and maps, thereby introducing the Western world to the wonders of ancient Egypt.

The narrative continues with figures like Maggie Benson, the first woman granted permission to excavate in Egypt, and her lifelong companion Nettie Gourlay, who faced oppression and exclusion in their pursuit of archaeological discoveries. Their excavation of the Temple of Mut stands as a testament to their resilience and determination.

As subsequent generations of women built upon their predecessors' achievements, individuals like Emma Andrews, Margaret Murray, Amice Calverley, Myrtle Broome, Kate Bradbury, and Caroline Ransom continued to break barriers in Egyptology. Andrews's patronage and Murray's academic contributions paved the way for artists like Calverley and Broome to work on-site at Abydos, creating meticulous reproductions of tomb art. Meanwhile, Bradbury and Ransom emerged as leaders in critical Egyptological institutions, solidifying their place in a male-dominated field.

"Women in the Valley of the Kings" not only celebrates the courage and accomplishments of these women but also highlights their profound impact on reshaping Egyptology. By reclaiming their stories from obscurity, Sheppard reveals how these women challenged conventions, charted new territories, and forever changed the landscape of archaeological exploration in Egypt. 📚❤️

Item description from the seller

In "Women in the Valley of the Kings: The Untold Story of Women Egyptologists in the Gilded Age," Kathleen Sheppard shines a long-overdue spotlight on the pioneering women who defied societal norms and contributed significantly to the field of Egyptology during the so-called Golden Age of Exploration.

Sheppard challenges the prevailing narrative dominated by male Egyptologists like Howard Carter, who famously discovered King Tutankhamun's tomb, by uncovering the forgotten stories of women who laid the foundation for Egyptological study. Beginning with trailblazers such as Amelia Edwards, Jenny Lane, and Marianne Brocklehurst, Sheppard explores how these early European travelers documented their experiences in Egypt through travelogues, diaries, and maps, thereby introducing the Western world to the wonders of ancient Egypt.

The narrative continues with figures like Maggie Benson, the first woman granted permission to excavate in Egypt, and her lifelong companion Nettie Gourlay, who faced oppression and exclusion in their pursuit of archaeological discoveries. Their excavation of the Temple of Mut stands as a testament to their resilience and determination.

As subsequent generations of women built upon their predecessors' achievements, individuals like Emma Andrews, Margaret Murray, Amice Calverley, Myrtle Broome, Kate Bradbury, and Caroline Ransom continued to break barriers in Egyptology. Andrews's patronage and Murray's academic contributions paved the way for artists like Calverley and Broome to work on-site at Abydos, creating meticulous reproductions of tomb art. Meanwhile, Bradbury and Ransom emerged as leaders in critical Egyptological institutions, solidifying their place in a male-dominated field.

"Women in the Valley of the Kings" not only celebrates the courage and accomplishments of these women but also highlights their profound impact on reshaping Egyptology. By reclaiming their stories from obscurity, Sheppard reveals how these women challenged conventions, charted new territories, and forever changed the landscape of archaeological exploration in Egypt. 📚❤️