EXPLORING THE PYRAMIDS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28080, 22 September 1956, Page 3

EXPLORING THE PYRAMIDS

The Mountains of Pharaoh. 2000 Years of Pyramid Exploration. By Leonard Cottrell. Robt. Hale. 272 pp. Index.

The pyramids of Egypt are of neverfading interest, and this s|ory of the centuries-old search for answers to the questions of who built them, why were they built, how were they built reads like a detective story. The answers to the first two questions are now, beyond doubt —they were built by the Pharaohs as tombs. But the answer to the most interesting third question —how were they built? —involves a number of interesting subsidiary questions, and explorers and archaeologists are still discovering fresh information. The last word has still to be written.

In this book Leonard Cottrell approaches the whole subject of the pyramids from a new angle, and deals more with the human side of archaeology. He dwells especially on the adventures of the hundreds of explorers of these great buildings since the time of the Greek historian Herodotus in the fifth century 8.C., and is interested in much more than archaeological data only. He has written especially for the entertainment of the general reader, and his book is full of fascinating human anecdotes, stories which range from high drama to high comedy. Most of these tales have been culled from the works of the old-time explorers themselves, but they are as alive today as when they were first recorded. The author’s conversational style is most diverting—for instance, before quoting from Herodotus he says: ‘‘One of the reasons why Herodotus* is a delight to read is that he loved a good story; legends, folk-tales, court gossip fascinated him. and he was not above relishing a juicy bit of scandal. Humourless sobersides have sometimes condemned him for credulity, not realising that Herodotus did not necessarily believe in the historical accuracy of all the tales he has told, but retold them because he enjoyed them, and wanted his readers to share his enjoyment.”

Leonard Cottrell himself shares much with Herodotus, and his chatty style cannot disguise his own scholarship and deep knowledge of his subject. The book is profusely illustrated with a large number of excellent photographs, maps and diagrams, and there is an adequate index. Students as well as others will enjoy this book. It will be an especially appreciated addition to any post-primary school library.

School stories never lose popularity. For good measure, Eric Leyland’s ABBEY SEES IT THROUGH (Nelson) combines a school story with an account of schoolboys foiling the machinations of a gang of crooks.