The Scientific Study of Mummies

Originally published in 2003, this is a lavishly illustrated reference volume on mummies and what can be learned from them worldwide.

Arthur C. Aufderheide (Author)

9780521177351, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 January 2011

634 pages
24.6 x 18.9 x 3.3 cm, 1.12 kg

'Considering that [this] book is over 600 pages long and packed full of high-quality black-and-white images, I feel it is good value. It is a veritable encyclopaedia of all things mummy and covers everything from the history, purposes and techniques of anthropogenic mummification to the use of pulverised mummified human tissues as a medical drug … This book will be engrossing not only to anyone with a passing interest in mummification and ancient history, but also to those curious about more recent events, as subjects covered include the embalming of Abraham Lincoln and the mummification of Eva Peron, Vladimir Lenin and the American Civil War horse, Comanche. It is highly recommended.' Bulletin of The Royal College of Pathologists

The fact that bodies decay after death has concerned humans throughout the ages. Many cultures have attempted to arrest this decay, so that bodies are preserved (or mummified) in a state as near to life as possible, but spontaneously mummified bodies are also found. Mummies are being studied increasingly to answer questions about the health, social standing and beliefs of the population from whence they came, and the lessons that they have for modern populations. Originally published in 2003, this authoritative reference work explores why people mummify bodies and the mechanisms by which they are preserved, details study methods and surveys the myriad examples that can be found worldwide, evaluates the use and abuse of mummified bodies throughout the ages, and how mummified remains can be conserved for the future. Lavishly illustrated, The Scientific Study of Mummies will be of value to all those interested in paleopathology, archaeology and anthropology.

Preface
Acknowledgements
1. History of mummy studies
2. Purpose of anthropogenic mummification
3. Mechanisms of mummification
4. The geography of mummies
5. Soft tissue taphonomy
6. Mummy study methodology
7. Animal mummies
8. Soft tissue paleopathology: diseases of the viscera
9. The museology of mummies
10. Use and abuse of mummies
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Human biology [PSX], Physical anthropology [JHMP], Archaeology [HD]