Outside and Inside Mummies

by Sandra Markle

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Gr 5-8–Markle explores a global smorgasbord of mummy varieties, both those created by human procedures and those caused by nature. Crisp (if gruesome) color photos accompany the readable, informative text, which discusses not only the mummification process, but also the cutting-edge technologies used by forensic anthropologists and others to study the mummies themselves. From endoscopies to CT scans, through scanning electron microscopes to acid washes and DNA analysis, the author presents an up-to-date look at modern forensics applied to ancient human remains. A new glimpse into a long-ago world.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
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From BookList, September 15, 2005, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
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Gr. 4-6. Another title from Markle's long-running Outside and Inside series, this bright photo-essay accents the inside of mummies. Exciting new technology has made it possible to tell how ancient people lived and died. Vivid photographs, sometimes eye-popping in their clarity (CT images), sometimes gross (mummified intestines and intestinal worms), combine with a highly readable text to answer questions about particular bodies and humanity in general. There's a bit of an organizational problem. Dividing the book into chapters would have helped, as the text moves through various diagnostic techniques and different mummies, some from Egypt, others--naturally preserved. One of the most interesting sections concerns the discoveries that can be made from examining DNA. Back matter includes a glossary and a project--make your own mummy. There are acknowledgments to many scientists and health and academic centers, but no source notes.
IleneCooper.
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