Overview
Have you ever wished that you could unwrap a mummy? Imagine examining the skin, bones, even muscles and organs of a person who lived thousands of years ago! Cutting-edge technology is revealing more than ever before about these amazing relics from human history. Modern crime lab technology can reveal whether a mummy was killed or died of natural causes. X-rays can help us discover a mummy’s age and identity, and DNA samples are even helping scientists find today’s living relatives of Incan mummies. In the most fascinating topic she’s unraveled in her Outside and Inside series, Sandra Markle reunites us with our ancient ancestors through fascinating text and jaw-dropping photographs.
Synopsis
Have you ever wished that you could unwrap a mummy? Imagine examining the skin, bones, even muscles and organs of a person who lived thousands of years ago! Cutting-edge technology is revealing more than ever before about these amazing relics from human history. Modern crime lab technology can reveal whether a mummy was killed or died of natural causes. X-rays can help us discover a mummy’s age and identity, and DNA samples are even helping scientists find today’s living relatives of Incan mummies. In the most fascinating topic she’s unraveled in her Outside and Inside series, Sandra Markle reunites us with our ancient ancestors through fascinating text and jaw-dropping photographs.
Sharon Oliver - Children's Literature
In this unique look at mummies readers get a look at the inside of various mummies through medical imaging technology. Author Markle begins with the everyday X-ray and its breakthrough position in the study of human mummies. A new type of X-ray machine developed specifically for investigating artifacts is described and shown. From the X-ray we move to a CT scanner and are given a picture of the organs inside a mummy's body. For a mummy found in the Austrian Alps, an endoscope is used to determine the age and origin of the body. The usual mummy information is provided, explaining where and when mummies originated and the process used by different cultures to mummify their dead. What makes this book stand out are the actual scanned images of the mummies reproduced in the book. These give the reader a much clearer and more in-depth picture of what a mummy is and what can be learned from them about ancient cultures. In addition to the information on mummies, the reader also learns quite a bit about imaging technology and what can be learned from its use in archeology. The book also contains a glossary/index and instructions for making your own apple mummy. An excellent book all-around and a definite should have for all libraries. 2005, Walker and Company, Ages 8 to 14.
Editorials
Children's Literature
In this unique look at mummies readers get a look at the inside of various mummies through medical imaging technology. Author Markle begins with the everyday X-ray and its breakthrough position in the study of human mummies. A new type of X-ray machine developed specifically for investigating artifacts is described and shown. From the X-ray we move to a CT scanner and are given a picture of the organs inside a mummy's body. For a mummy found in the Austrian Alps, an endoscope is used to determine the age and origin of the body. The usual mummy information is provided, explaining where and when mummies originated and the process used by different cultures to mummify their dead. What makes this book stand out are the actual scanned images of the mummies reproduced in the book. These give the reader a much clearer and more in-depth picture of what a mummy is and what can be learned from them about ancient cultures. In addition to the information on mummies, the reader also learns quite a bit about imaging technology and what can be learned from its use in archeology. The book also contains a glossary/index and instructions for making your own apple mummy. An excellent book all-around and a definite should have for all libraries. 2005, Walker and Company, Ages 8 to 14.—Sharon Oliver