Belzoni

The Italian son of a barber. A failed hydraulic engineer. A giantwho performed feats of strength and agility in the circus. Giovanni Belzoni(1778-1824) was all of these before going on to become one of the most controversialfigures in the history of Egyptian archaeology. A man of exceptional size wi [...]
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The Italian son of a barber. A failed hydraulic engineer. A giantwho performed feats of strength and agility in the circus. Giovanni Belzoni(1778-1824) was all of these before going on to become one of the most controversialfigures in the history of Egyptian archaeology. A man of exceptional size with anego of comparable proportions, he procured for the British Museum some of itslargest and still awe-inspiring treasures. Today, however, the typical museumvisitor knows nothing of Belzoni, and many modern archaeologists dismiss him as anignorant vandal. In this captivating new biography, Ivor No l Humere-creates an early nineteenth century in which there was no establishedarchaeological profession, only enormous opportunity. Belzoni landed in Egypt, wherehe was unsuccessful in selling a hydraulic machine of his own invention, and cameunder the patronage of diplomat Henry Salt, who convinced him to travel to Thebes insearch of artifacts. Among the many treasures Belzoni would bring back was theseven-ton stone head of Ramesses II, the "YoungMemnon." The book includes gripping accounts of Belzoni'swildly productive, and physically brutal, expeditions, as well as an unforgettableportrait of his wife, Sarah, who suffered the hardships of the Egyptian deserts andlater bore the brunt of the disillusionment that came with the declining popularperception of her husband. Including numerous illustrations, many in color, thisvolume brings one of archaeology's most fascinating figures vividly tolife.