Mummies, Disease and Ancient Cultures

Fülszöveg

In ancient Egypt the preservation of the dead was an elaborate religious protess. Embalmers spent centuries developing and perfecting mummification techniques and they are today still considered to be one of ancient Egypt's great legacies to the modern world. To most of us, the word "mummy" still evokes the image of a cloth-bound Egyptian, but in this book we find the definition expanded to include any body that is well preserved, either by environmental conditions or by deliberate methods. Thus, Mummies, disease, and ancient cultures explores not only the mysteries of Egyptian mummies but alsó the naturally mummified bodies from the mountains and ice of Peru and Alaska; those from the acid, cold, superbly preservative bog waters of Denmark; and those found in the dry, arid caves of the Southwestern United States. Here, too, is little-known information about the priests of Japan who voluntarily committed themselves to self-mummification, in which a severely restricted diet before... Tovább

Fülszöveg

In ancient Egypt the preservation of the dead was an elaborate religious protess. Embalmers spent centuries developing and perfecting mummification techniques and they are today still considered to be one of ancient Egypt's great legacies to the modern world. To most of us, the word "mummy" still evokes the image of a cloth-bound Egyptian, but in this book we find the definition expanded to include any body that is well preserved, either by environmental conditions or by deliberate methods. Thus, Mummies, disease, and ancient cultures explores not only the mysteries of Egyptian mummies but alsó the naturally mummified bodies from the mountains and ice of Peru and Alaska; those from the acid, cold, superbly preservative bog waters of Denmark; and those found in the dry, arid caves of the Southwestern United States. Here, too, is little-known information about the priests of Japan who voluntarily committed themselves to self-mummification, in which a severely restricted diet before death was followed by three-year entombment; the body was then removed from its underground chamber and dried. This abridged paperback edition of the successful hardcover contains detailed technical descriptions of the illnesses from which ancient people suffered, including physical malformations caused by poor nutrition, parasitic infestations, and vascular disorders. In somé cases, the cause of death can be determined; in others, even the last meal. The methods of burial and mummification often offer insights into the culture and religion of the time. Mummies will be useful to all students and professionals in paleopathology and archaeology as well as to anyone with a generál interest in this fascinating subject. "This book may provide a welcome opportunity to engage in somé armchair archaeology and passive paleopathology • • ¦ There is a lot of history, mystery, medicine, and humán drama here. The chapters are interestingly written and well referenced. This is the kind of book that can be opened almost anvwhere for a few minutes of fascinating reading. although many readers may find it difficult to put down." Phil Gunbv. JAMA "... a rich, definitive treatment ..." Philip Morrison. Scientific American Cover photograph by James M. Vreeland. fr C.U.P, 1 Vissza