The lost tomb

The world was astonished when American Egyptologist Kent Weeks discovered an elaborate tomb deep beneath the surface of Egypt's legendary Valley of the Kings. Soon he realized that this was the centuries-old burial site for the sons of Ramesses II. Previous to this discovery, no one had been certain where - or even if - this spectacular tomb existed. Now, in The Lost Tomb, Weeks takes readers into the largest and most complicated mausoleum yet found, unlocking age-old mysteries of Egyptian history. His insider's account of this significant archaeological find is paired with an unforgettable sense of adventure and awe. Drawing on his own diaries, as well as those of his wife and foreman, Weeks brings to life the excitement and risks that he and his team encountered during the dig, including floods, scorpions, claustrophobia, and terrorist attacks. Photographs and sketches illustrate the crew's progress in uncovering KV 5 (as the tomb is called) and show the wealth of objects and decorations found in its more than one hundred fifty chambers and hallways. Weeks also provides a fascinating close-up of how an archaeologist works, revealing the tools and guesswork involved in finding such an elusive tomb - and the perhaps more complex task of evaluating the wall paintings and texts discovered within.