british museum press united kingdom london (586 results)

Paperback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Good. The Rosetta Stone, with its inscriptions in three scripts, has become an icon of script and decipherment. The bicentenary of its discovery is being celebrated by a major exhibition at the British Museum. This catalogue accompanies the exhibition. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Good. A new visual and textual guide to the civilisation ruled by the Pharoahs, covering every aspect of ancient Egyptian culture from prehistoric times onwards, taking account of recent discoveries and research. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The annual ritual pilgrimage to Makkah was established by the Prophet Muhammad in the last year of his life (AD 632). Over the following centuries the experience and importance of Hajj have been evocatively documented in countless ways. Highlighting the pilgrims' journey across time, the sacred rituals of Hajj, and the city of Makkah itself, this beautiful little book features illuminated manuscripts, wall paintings and photographs, as well as calligraphy, textiles, scientific instruments, decorative tiles, maps, ceramics, metalwork and powerful works by contemporary artists. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Fair. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The Rosetta Stone contains a decree written three times in Greek, Demotic and hieroglyphic that provided the key to the mysterious hieroglyphic script of ancient Egypt, and opened up 3,000 years of the country's history and culture. This book tells the fascinating story of one of archaeology's icons, from its creation in the second century BC, to its discovery in 1799 during Napoleon's Egyptian campaign, to the subsequent race to decipher its hieroglyphic text. Undertaken by two brilliant scholars - the Frenchman Jean-Francois Champollion, and the English physicist Thomas Young - it was the former who eventually succeeded in making the crucial breakthrough. Today the Rosetta Stone stands in the Museum as an enduring symbol of human understanding and communication through the ages. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Fine. The Goths' sack of Rome in AD 410 was an event which shook the Roman world to its core. This gripping book uncovers the key factors that contributed to Alaric the Goth's capture of Rome: mass migrations, military incompetence, civil war, court intrigue, economic decline and religious bigotry. It also explains the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, including the loss of Britain, around AD 410. Telling a truly compelling story of a defining moment in history, the book is packed with dramatic characters and events. Bold personalities are brought to life, drawn from sources newly translated for this book by master storytellers thoroughly familiar with their subject. Although many have asked why Rome fell, few have told the tale of how it fell. The dramatic story is richly illustrated throughout with evocative sites and iconic objects, many drawn from the vast collections of the British Museum.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Using games, colouring projects and puzzles, this book provides children with an introduction to the culture and religion of the Aztecs. The books can be used in the classroom or at home, and also in preparation for a museum visit. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The Goths' sack of Rome in AD 410 was an event which shook the Roman world to its core. This gripping book uncovers the key factors that contributed to Alaric the Goth's capture of Rome: mass migrations, military incompetence, civil war, court intrigue, economic decline and religious bigotry. It also explains the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, including the loss of Britain, around AD 410. Telling a truly compelling story of a defining moment in history, the book is packed with dramatic characters and events. Bold personalities are brought to life, drawn from sources newly translated for this book by master storytellers thoroughly familiar with their subject. Although many have asked why Rome fell, few have told the tale of how it fell. The dramatic story is richly illustrated throughout with evocative sites and iconic objects, many drawn from the vast collections of the British Museum. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Good. The timeline stretches from the earliest prehistoric Egyptians, through the ages of the pyramids and pharaohs, to the Roman conquest of Egypt and the fall of the Roman Empire. The invention of writing and mummification, the building of the pyramids and the great temples, the mighty pharaohs and their conquests, and the changing lives of ordinary people are all described. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Good. Discussing and illustrating over 200 prints, this book describes the whole range of popular print production in England, from the Reformation to the Industrial Revolution. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Good. A study of the many techniques employed by medieval embroiderers, and the materials they used, illustrated to show various examples of their work. A further title from the MEDIEVAL CRAFTSMEN series. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This is a short, illustrated introduction to the ever-fascinating topic of Egyptian mummies, by an international expert. It is a readable, short, but authoritative overview of Egyptian mummification. It deals with perennially popular topic. It is illustrated throughout in colour. The author, a world expert on Egyptian mummification, addresses the most frequently asked questions about Egyptian mummies: how and why they were made, the religious beliefs which underpinned mummification, the preservation of animals, and how the mummies have been treated from ancient times until the present day. He provides an up to date summary of the ancient evidence, and also considers modern attitudes to Egyptian mummies, emphasising their role as a major source of knowledge and understanding about past societies. The text and illustrations draw heavily on the rich collection of mummies and funerary objects in the British Museum, and the findings of a wide range of recent scientific investigations of this collection. The book will therefore reflect the important advances which have been made in the understanding of Egyptian mummies over the last few years. The Author John H. Taylor is a curator of Egyptian antiquities in the British Museum. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. As well as food and medicine, the medieval garden provided pleasure, repose and refreshment to the senses. From detailed manuscript descriptions and illustrations, this work presents a picture of the various styles of medieval garden from the small enclosed herber to vast cultivated parks of royalty and nobility. The author combines her historical knowledge with practical experience of re-creating medieval gardens in various sites in England, explaining how she designed Queen Eleanor's garden at Winchester and Brother Cadfael's physic garden at Shrewsbury. She gives detailed descriptions of layouts, measurements, the types of tools required and the medieval gardener's calendar illustrated in the 12 "occupations of the months". The book also offers practical advice to readers on how to create typical medieval features in their gardens, such as a turf-covered brick bench, a rose- or vine-covered trellis, or a wild flower meadow. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Good. The foundations of western civilisation were laid by the ancient societies which flourished in Mesopotamia, a land known as the fertile crescent, through which flows the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This area saw some of the earliest experiments in agriculture and irrigation, the invention of writing, the birth of mathematics and the development of urban life. Using the evidence of archaeology and ancient texts, the author of this text explores the history of Ancient Mesopotamia from pre-historic times to the rise of Babylon before 1500 BC. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Money has always been a subject of interest, today more so than ever. For centuries it has performed a key role around the globe most obviously in trade and the economy, but also in the development of national identities, religions and the spread of empire. Introduced as measurements of weight to serve the most basic of functions, these currencies have changed appearance and meaning throughout the ages and developed into complex monetary units we know today. With a brief but informative biography of each of the currencies, it reveals where and how each originated, the various roles they performed, and how they spread, survived and changed over the years. Some may have fallen into disuse but they might also have been revived in new and unexpected forms, and in different locations. Charting the rise and fall of each, the book will look at how the movements, developments and designs of currencies can highlight broader themes of history such as the characteristics of empire, trade and migration and the personalities of kings and rulers and how they can be identified as barometers for the political fortunes of a nation. Packed full of facts and interesting stories, and thoughtfully illustrated with images from the British Museum and beyond, Symbols of Power is an illuminating account of world currencies and the crucial role they play in our world. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Under Moctezuma the mighty Aztec empire reached the height of its power; under Moctezuma, the Aztec empire met its ultimate downfall. The Aztecs ruled from the island metropolis of Tenochtitlan which, by the fifteenth century, stretched from the Gulf Coast to the Pacific Ocean. Focusing on their last elected leader, Moctezuma II, this informative and beautifully illustrated little book explores the world of the Aztecs. It looks at their origins, the founding of their capital city Tenochtitlan, the structure of their society, their religious beliefs and ceremonies, their military prowess, their art and architecture, and their network of long-distance trade and tribute. The dramatic death of Moctezuma at the hands of the Spanish is also recounted. Moctezuma and the Aztecs not only offers a concise portrait of this famous, semi-divine figure but offers a wonderful introduction to a remarkable, sophisticated civilization. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. A practical teach-yourself course on ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs for the general reader. In this text, the grammar of ancient Egypt is introduced using the inscriptions found on monuments, with an emphasis on learning to read and translate accurately. A series of 43 exercises accompanies an easy to follow ten-step guide and is supported by a reference section of sign-lists and a short dictionary at the end of the text. Background notes on general topics including gods, royal dynasties and principal sites aim to help the reader to understand the historical concept. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. An informative guide to the relationship between humans and cats in the ancient Egyptian world. Cats can be seen in ancient Egyptian homes, temples and adorning the heads of their gods. Cats in Egypt were probably domesticated by around 4,000 BC from wild ancestors. Over the following centuries, they became popular household pets. In this book, Dr Malek draws on a vast range of artistic and written sources to show how cats became one of the most widely esteemed and revered animals in Egypt. An ideal gift for any fan of ancient Egyptian culture. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Japanese Haiku has been a much-loved form of poetry for many centuries. Composed of 17 syllables, it can convey the essence of an emotion, a fleeting moment in nature, or a throwaway comment. This collection features 60 classic haiku by masters such as Basho, Kyoshi and Shiki, arranged by season and covering all the most popular subjects. The text features an introduction explaining the background to Japanese haiku and a short biographical note about each of the major poets. An excellent introduction to the treasures of Japanese poetry and art. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Eric Gill (18821940) is one of the twentieth centurys most controversial artists. This illustrated introduction focuses on the clarity of Gills drawn and cut line. It explores his genius as a letter cutter, wood engraver, sculptor and typographer in the light of his refined finished drawings and preparatory sketches. Like all modernists of the early twentieth-century, he used stylised form, explicit sexuality and the influence of other cultures to position himself at the forefront of the avant-garde. An outsider and a radical, Gill nevertheless became one the establishments favourite artists, with his patrons including the Catholic Church, the Lord Chancellors office, the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Royal Mint, the London Underground, the BBC, the Post Office and the League of Nations. The authors illuminate here the quality, complexities and contradictions of Gills fascinating life and art. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Jane Austen wrote her novels in the midst of a large and sociable family. Brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, friends and acquaintances were always coming and going, and eating and drinking. Fortunately one of Jane's dearest friends, Martha Lloyd, lived with the family for many years and recorded in her "Household Book" over 100 recipes enjoyed by the Austens. This family fare, tested and modernized for today's cooks, is reproduced here, together with some of the more sophisticated dishes which Jane and her characters would have enjoyed at balls, picnics and supper parties. The introduction discusses Jane's own interest in food, as shown both in the novels and in her letters, and the importance of mealtimes and entertaining in the social life of her period (1775-1817), with the complete contents of Martha Lloyd's "Household Book" and the history of the manuscript, now in Jane Austen's House at Chawton, Hampshire. Delightful line drawings, prints and watercolours from contemporary sources illustrate the book. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Discover V-Mail - the Roman empire's equivalent of the email or text message! The letters discovered at Vindolanda were written on small flexible 'postcards' of wood, which were tied together in zigzags and carried by couriers from all over the empire. They include a birthday party invitation, shopping lists, and gossipy letters between friends; also work assignments and orders for the soldiers in the fort, and accounts of the food they ate, the equipment they were issued, and their medical prescriptions. People write demanding money for goods they have supplied, or asking for a job, or begging an officer not to flog them for a crime they did not commit. A Roman officer even writes a memo describing how the native Britons fight!This book includes translations of a selection of these fascinating and fun documents. Each one is accompanied by illustrations - reconstruction drawings of Roman life in Britain, and photographs of artifacts from the British Museum's collections. Short, simple descriptive text explains the background to the letters and the world in which the writers lived. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Cats were first domesticated or, more likely, noticed a warm fireside and chose to domesticate themselves many thousands of years ago. Over the centuries they have performed a useful role as pest controllers, but much more as friends and companions of humans. Cats have always inspired writers and artists. They appear in Egyptian papyri and tomb paintings, in Roman mosaics, in Japanese prints, in Old Master drawings and engravings. At different times and places they have been worshipped, mummified, associated with superstition and black magic, and bred as domestic pets. This delightful illustrated anthology includes a selection of the many poems, anecdotes and quotations about cats which have been written over the centuries: the charming, the funny, the sad, the exasperated, and the heartfelt. In a fresh new paperback format with a selection of new images, this is an irresistible gift for anyone who likes cats. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The Celtic peoples of the British Isles hold a fundamental place in our national history, but some archaeologists are arguing that the ancient Celts of these islands never existed. This book examines ancient and modern ideas about the Celts. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Good. "The Book of the Dead" is the name now given to a collection of religious and magical texts known to the ancient Egyptians as "The Chapters of the Coming-forth by day". Their principle aim was to secure for the deceased a satisfactory afterlife and to give them the power to leave the tomb when necessary. Copies of the book written on papyrus scrolls were placed in the tombs of important Egyptians, each roll containing a selection of chapters. Many examples have survived from antiquity, dating mostly from c.1500 BC to 250 BC. In this volume the text, translated by the late Dr R.O. Faulkner, is that found in the papyrus prepared for the scribe Ani. The vignettes are taken from the finely illustrated copies which are preserved in the collection of the British Museum. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Fair. The Sutton Hoo site is one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever made in Britain, and arguably the world. Since the initial discovery of the ship burial in 1938, when newspaper reports with banner headlines kept the British public informed about the event, the mound burials and surrounding cemetery have yielded a wealth of archaeological evidence as well as glittering treasures. Martin Carver draws on the full range of research undertaken at the site, which was still being excavated in 1993, to present a story of the archaeological discovery. Beginning with the excavations, he goes on to tell the story of the site itself. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This practical guide is split into seven main sections, each covering a key geographical area or historical period: Africa, the Americas, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Rome, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. An introduction to the collections in each of these areas is followed by a curated selection of key objects, arranged by room number to help orientate your visit. Following this are seven themed galleries: Enlightenment, Collecting the World, the Waddesdon Bequest, Living and Dying, Clocks and Watches, Money, and Prints and Drawings. Fully illustrated in colour, there is a complete map of the Museum at the front of the guide, which gives detailed directions. This is a perfect companion for visitors who want to savour the highlights of the collection. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.

Paperback. Condition: Good. This visual anthology features several hundred examples of patterns found in early Celtic art, before the Roman conquest of Europe. They are relatively little known, compared to the later, essentially Irish designs most often associated with the term "Celtic art". Early Celtic art was created in the 5th century BC by tribes in what is now the east of France and the Rhineland. Although some aspects were native, it borrowed Greek motifs and some Oriental influence. The Greek motifs were adapted, dissected and rearranged resulting in the distinctive patterns of a new style. Most of the craftsmen responsible were metalworkers, decorating artefacts for the ruling classes throughout Celtic Europe. After the 4th century BC, foreign influences ceased and Celtic art evolved under its own momentum. In Britain, it reached fresh heights in the 3rd century and continued to develop until the Roman conquest in the 1st century BC. The illustrations in this book provide new insights into the development of Celtic art and may serve as a source of ideas for designers, craftspeople, teachers and students. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The Papyrus of Hunefer is one of the most beautiful and famous items in the British Museums Egyptian collections, illustrated with detailed coloured paintings of the highest quality. Hunefer (his name means Mr Happy Day) was an official of high rank. The papyrus was buried with him and contains his personal selection of spells from what we now call the Book of the Dead. He expected the papyrus to help him to reach a happy eternal life, in which he could continue to enjoy the many pleasures of the living world without any of its sorrows or troubles. Hunefers papyrus includes lovely, detailed images of various important stages or rites on the way, including the opening of the mouth ceremony outside the tomb, in which priests carry out rites to give the mummy back its human senses, and the weighing of the heart in which the gods put Hunefers heart is on the scales with the feather of truth to show if he had been a good person in life. This book follows Hunefer on his magical journey and, in a very simple, accessible and visual way, demonstrates Ancient Egyptian beliefs about religion, life and death. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged.