Mummies, Disease and Ancient Cultures

More about the book

To look upon a mummy is to come face to face with our past. This book presents the story of mummification as a practice worldwide. Mummies have been found on every continent, some deliberately preserved by a variety of complex techniques, others accidentally by dry baking heat, intense cold and ice, or by tanning in peat bogs. By examining these preserved humans, we can gain profound insights into the lives, health, culture, and deaths of individuals and populations long gone. This readable volume investigates the fantastic new findings in South America, Europe, and the Far East. It will be a must-have for anyone working in paleopathology and a fascinating read for those interested in anthropology, archaeology, and the history of medicine.