Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Staff Review by Carol Ann Strahl:
A journey into the world of the everlasting dead, this book is a font of fascinating revelations. Every three years, there is a "Mummy Congress" which convenes to discuss the subject of ancient preserved humans. Participants in the event include pathologists, radiologists and archaeologists.
Some of the finds reveal mysteries - for example, bodies dating back over 4,000 years were found in China sporting blonde hair and beards. DNA tests were done on some of these bodies and show similar genetic lineage as most modern day Swedes, Finns and Corsicans.
Mummification was taking place in Chile 2,000 years before the Egyptians, whose mummies are considered the world's oldest.
During the Middle Ages, pulverized bones were used to make medicine and also utilized by painters on their pallets.
There is also a chapter on the "Incorruptibles." The Medieval Church gave this appellation to 102 preserved bodies.
Debate rages over the question of whether science has the right to destroy an ancient human by autopsies and dissections in its quest for knowledge for the living. Almost every page of this book is a "learning" experience.
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thanks for highlighting this book. looks fascinating.