Dinner with King Tut

How Rogue Archaeologists Are Re-creating the Sights, Sounds, Smells, and Tastes of Lost Civilizations

By: Sam Kean

Narrated by: Derek Shetterly

From “one of America’s smartest and most charming writers” (NPR), an archaeological romp through the entire history of humankind—and through all five senses—from tropical Polynesian islands to forbidding arctic ice floes, and everywhere in between.

Whether it’s the mighty pyramids of Egypt or the majestic temples of Mexico, we have a good idea of what the past looked like. But what about our other senses: The tang of Roman fish sauce and the springy crust of Egyptian sourdough? The boom of medieval cannons and the clash of Viking swords? The frenzied plays of an Aztec ballgame...and the chilling reality that the losers might also lose their lives?

History often neglects the tastes, textures, sounds, and smells that were an intimate part of our ancestors’ lives, but a new generation of researchers is resurrecting those hidden details, pioneering an exciting new discipline called experimental archaeology. These are scientists gone rogue: They make human mummies. They investigate the unsolved murders of ancient bog bodies. They carve primitive spears and go hunting, then knap their own obsidian blades to skin the game. They build perilous boats and plunge out onto the open sea—all in the name of experiencing history as it was, with all its dangers, disappointments, and unexpected delights.

Beloved author Sam Kean joins these experimental archaeologists on their adventures across the globe, from the Andes to the South Seas. He fires medieval catapults, tries his hand at ancient surgery and tattooing, builds Roman-style roads—and, in novelistic interludes, spins gripping tales about the lives of our ancestors with vivid imagination and his signature meticulous research.

Lively, offbeat, and filled with stunning revelations about our past, Dinner with King Tut sheds light on days long gone and the intrepid experts resurrecting them today, with startling, lifelike detail and more than a few laughs along the way.

Critic reviews

“No writer ranks higher than Sam Kean on the ‘You Will Learn Something New and Weird on Every Page’-o-meter.”—Ken Jennings, host of Jeopardy!

"A visceral, exhilarating, and sweeping tour de force that will tantalize all five of your senses, and some you never knew you had.This is an essential—and sensual—read for anyone who would relish a hands-on experience with the past."—Lindsey Fitzharris, author of The Facemaker and The Butchering Art

Kean helps ancient history come alive

A potent mix of archeological science and vivid story telling mixed with experiential archeology makes for a great ride and brings ancient history alive.

Another great book by Sam Kean!

Entertainment and education. Interesting. Well told and good narration. Worth my time. Would recommend to family and friends.

Sam is like the Anthony Bourdain of Archeology

The narration was great and Sam’s writing is even better than his previous books. I loved each story included and found the experiments described fascinating! It was so exciting to hear the perspective of all the experts included as well. Even my partner, who is skeptical of audio books, found it interesting when I was listening to it on a long drive. Overall 5/5

Incredibly interesting, however crude the delivery

First, the information was 10/10 I had no idea what experimental archeology was, now I do!
That being said… I found myself clutching my pearls several times in this book. My inner Karen was triggered as I had the reoccurring misfortune of eating while listening to the more graphic scenes. Over all though, it was incredible information. A better title would’ve been “a boys guide to ancient survival practices” but then it probably wouldn’t have sold as well lol. 6/10 recommend if you are a survivalist.

Blew me away

It took me forever to get through this book. Because i kept going back and listening to chapters again before i moved on to the next one! Amazing read. Loved it. Have recommended it all over the place.