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Festschriften are, by their very nature, both scholarly tribute and personal testament, and No Good Deed Goes Unpunished succeeds admirably on both counts. Produced in honour of Peter Lacovara, this substantial volume reflects not only the breadth of his academic influence, but also the warmth and esteem in which he is held by colleagues, students, and friends alike.
From the outset, one is struck by the diversity of contributions. The range of topics includes, among others, artefact analysis, funerary archaeology, ceramic studies, and cultural interpretation, mirroring Lacovara’s own wide-ranging interests and career. Tombs, funerary architecture, and their associated assemblages are particularly well represented. Susanne Doll examines the Tomb of Tanutamani, Andrew Gordon reassesses Theban Tomb 126, while Janice Kamrin and Salima Ikram explore the burial of Tabakmut. Together, these contributions offer fresh perspectives on both elite and less well-known individuals. This focus on built environments is broadened by Charles Bonnet and Dominique Valbelle, who offer a new appraisal of the evolution of architecture at the neighbouring sites of Kerma and Dokki Gel in Upper Nubia.
Material culture is equally well served. Betsy Bryan’s study of an unusual faience palmiform vessel decorated with royal horses presents the intriguing suggestion that it once contained eye liniment for the care of these prized animals. In a quite different vein, Sergej Ivanov examines a petrified log discovered in a Late Period workshop at Memphis, suggesting that the fossil may have been used as a component in the production of vitreous materials.
Adornment also receives close attention. Katja Broschat and Eid Mertah re examine the Diadem of Tutankhamun, making a persuasive case that it was worn in life before being adapted for funerary use. Nicholas Reeves revisits the Riqqeh Pectoral, proposing a revised dating, and raising the possibility of Hyksos influence in its design.
The contributions are consistently strong, combining rigorous scholarship with accessibility for both specialists and informed readers. The production is of a high standard, with clear illustrations and an effective layout, though the volume’s size might be daunting. It may be best approached selectively, and rewards repeated consultation.
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished is a fitting and affectionate tribute to a scholar whose influence extends well beyond his publications, serving both as a valuable academic resource and a celebration of a highly regarded figure.
REVIEW BY ROGER FORSHAW
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Egyptological Essays in Honor of Peter Lacovara edited by Salima Ikram, Sue D’Auria, and Tom Hardwick Lockwood Press, 2025 ISBN 978-1-9574-5487-0 Hardback, £92
