A generously illustrated collection of John Baines's influential writings on the role of writing and the importance of visual culture in ancient Egypt. Investigation of these key topics in a comparative study of early civilizations is pursued through a number of case studies, and characterized by a radically interdisciplinary approach. - ;A generously illustrated selection of John Baines's influential writings on two core areas of ancient Egyptian civilization: the role of writing, which was very different in antiquity from what is familiar in the modern world, and the importance of visual cul