(. . .) Some mysteries revolve around Egypt's relations with other peoples and nations, such as the lost African kingdoms of Yam and Punt, the Israelites and their Exodus to the Promised Land, or the 'Sea Peoples' - were they fearsome raiders or frightened refugees? And why did the golden Egyptian empire eventually collapse? Even today, Egyptologists continue to uncover tantalizing mysteries: evidence that Tutankhamun was murdered, ships buried intact deep in the desert next to the tombs of the first kings, unexplained shafts inside the Great Pyramids, apparently aligned with the stars, and a massive mausoleum built for the many sons of Ramses II. All the famous peoples and places of ancient Egypt are here - the Great Ramses, the Great Pyramid, Cleopatra, the Valley of the Kings, Akhenaten - and lesser-known but equally fascinating figures emerge from the shadows, such as Senenmut, Smendes, and Khababash. Filled with evocative photographs and enlightening new diagrams, maps, and plans, the book 70 Great Mysteries of Ancient Egypt is a unique exploration of this most romantic and inspiring of all ancient civilizations. [Excerpt from publisher or edition presentation text]