Beneath the Sands of Egypt: Adventures of an Unconventional Archaeologist

With its spectacular temples, tombs, monuments, mummies, and hieroglyphs, as well as esoteric metaphysics, legendary historical characters, and connections to the Bible, ancient Egypt has enticed human imagination for centuries, from the ancient Greeks and Romans to our modern era. This search for understanding and drive to uncover this lost civilization has also been the life work of archaeologist Donald P. Ryan, Ph.D. In BENEATH THE SANDS OF EGYPT he offers an intriguing personal account of a career spent researching the remains of Egypt's past -- including his headline-making discovery of a lost tomb in the Valley of the Kings containing the famous female pharaoh Hatshepsut in 1989.
Since early childhood, Ryan dreamed of exploration and adventure. Inspired by his plastic dinosaurs, his books-- including Thor Heyerdahal's KON TIKI and his father's National Geographic collection, Ryan pursued his ambition of becoming an archaeologist. It is a quest that has taken him from harsh desert digs to the modern comforts of Europe's finest museums to the slopes of some of the world's highest mountains -- and into the lives of archaeological predecessors, gathering insights from obscure documents and, literally, digging in their wakes.
BENEATH THE SANDS OF EGYPT interweaves Ryan's captivating tales from the field with reflections into the arcane world of Egyptology, from the writings of Herodotus to the tools of the trade, the intricacies of obtaining a digging permit to the thrall of popular myths. In addition, Ryan introduces a diverse cast of eccentric colleagues, helpful locals, wily entrepreneurs, and enlightened benefactors who have touched his life, including the legendary Thor Heyerdahl, who became his friend, mentor, and boss. Throughout, Ryan adds his unique touch, looking into corners that other scholars and explorers have ignored, reminding us how an artifact as seemingly insignificant as a piece of rope can unlock invaluable insights and offer its own wonderful tale.
Infused with the charm and irrepressible curiosity that has fueled his journey, BENEATH THE SANDS OF EGYPT is the extraordinary story of a man who has spent a lifetime embracing adventure whenever -- and wherever -- he finds it. And he's only just begun!