Tomb 10A, belonging to Djehutynakht, governor (or nomarch) in Deir el-Bersha, Egypt, and his wife, was discovered in 1915. Grave robbers had looted the burial site, taking jewelry and desecrating the mummies. Yet the tomb still contained the largest number of artifacts ever found in a Middle Kingdom burial, including an exceptionally fine painted wooden coffin and wooden figures intended to serve the governor and his wife in the afterlife. At Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, these objects have been finally restored, and the entire burial assemblage is now on exhibit there through mid-May, with this volume as the accompanying publication. It not only shows excellent photographs of the objects but describes them well, placing them in the context of Middle Kingdom practices in a society where officials from the provinces, such as Djehutynakht, gained power and wealth and had a coffin "fit for a pharaoh." VERDICT Insight into Egyptian society, art, religion, power, and politics during the Middle Kingdom all emerge in this work, which will be treasured by Egyptologists, archaeologists, art historians, and lovers of all things about ancient Egypt. A most impressive achievement that lay readers, too, will find intriguing.—Joan W. Gartland, Macomb Community Coll. Libs., Warren, MI

Hawass (secretary-general, Supreme Council of Antiquities, Egypt; King Tutankhamun: The Treasures of the Tomb) has a down-to-earth approach to Egyptology that makes his subject readily accessible. Again working with photographer Vannini, he turns his attention to the tombs of the nobles in the Theban necropolis, selecting those of 81 officials who served the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (c.1539–1069 B.C.E.), presenting them with full-color illustrations (some panoramic foldouts) in coffee table-book format. The titular "lost tombs" refer to the inclusion not only of tombs normally visited by tourists but of many that are rarely accessible—and then only to scholars. Hawass authoritatively discusses the function and architecture of the tombs, their decoration, the items buried with their owners, the cultic aspects of the quest for eternal life, and the detrimental effects of explorers and vandals, ancient and modern. In the final chapter, he focuses on current attempts to save the Valley of the Nobles (by relocating villages) and presents a survey of international expeditions now engaged in epigraphic and preservation efforts. VERDICT This spectacular publication is highly recommended for anyone, general or specialist, with an interest in ancient Egypt.—Edward K. Werner, St. Lucie Cty. Lib. Syst., Ft. Pierce, FL