Earthly Remains: The History and Science of Preserved Human Bodies [Paperback]

Andrew Chamberlain (Author), Michael Parker Pearson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 26, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0714150088 | ISBN-13: 978-0714150086

The authors discuss the processes of decay and look at the myths surrounding the preservation of the famous (such as Lenin, Abraham Lincoln and Eva Peron). They go on to discuss bodies preserved in bogs and how they came to be there, and examine one of the oldest methods of preservation - mummification - looking not only at the famous ancient Egyptian examples but also the earliest-known mummies of the Chinchorro people from South America, as well as others from Mexico, China and Europe. They also look at the preservation of bodies as a result of freezing and bodies preserved in outline form, such as those of Pompeii and Sutton Hoo, as well as discussing ethical issues such as preservation, exhumation and research on preserved bodies. The book ends with an examination of modern preservation methods and humanity's perennial search for immortality through techniques such as cryonics, cloning, DNA and suspended animation.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-A fascinating look at the different ways and reasons that various cultures have preserved human remains over time. Each chapter discusses one type of preservation and possible motivations behind this protection of the dead. Different types include peat-bog bodies, mummification, frozen bodies, and body impressions or negatives left in soil or ash. Chamberlain and Pearson describe a variety of different cultures for each of the types of preservation, although there is an Anglo-European emphasis. This book has an adequate index and an extensive bibliography. The illustrations provide good visual examples for the text and include a section of color plates. It is interesting that the addition of color makes these pictures appear more graphic. The authors cover a sensitive topic with scientific precision and honesty.
Tracy Ansley, formerly at Cary Academy, NC
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"From ancient Egyptian mummies to Iron Age bog bodies found in northern Europe, human remains reveal much about past cultures."--atural History "A fascinating look at the different ways and reasons that various cultures have preserved human remains over time....The authors cover a sensitive topic with scientific precision and honesty."--School Library Journal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: British Museum Pubns Ltd (July 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714150088
• ISBN-13: 978-0714150086
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,589,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ....and to dust thou shalt return., May 18, 2008

By 

J. Guild (Toronto,Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Earthly Remains: The History and Science of Preserved Human Bodies (Paperback)

An excellent account of what mankind, through its long history, has done with the remains of its deceased. Through what has been found, over the years,we have tried to piece together the cultures,religions,eating habits,diseases and every aspect of life by the peoples who have preceeded us.The little that we know has,to a large degree, been determined from clues presented when remains have been found.For such a relatively short book,of only 206 pages, including many excellent photographs,the authors have done an amazingly good job in describing what was done with the bodies,both intentionally and unintentionally,that have resulted in some remains being intact for ,not only hundreds ,but thousands of years.
Is it the fear of death,the fear of the unknown,the desire to honor and remember;or some underlying desire for everlasting perpetuity;that has challenged mankind and cultures to find a way for remains to be everlasting? That remains an unanswered question that has been with all civilizations and cultures;and as so well shown in this book;will likely remain,well into the future.One can only imagine how cluttered the world would get if a simple method of preserving a body forever,were ever found.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding the past through the dead, February 24, 2008

By 

Anjanette M. Kalb "rorysmom" (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Earthly Remains: The History and Science of Preserved Human Bodies (Hardcover)

If you are interested in anthropology, archaeology, mummy studies, or pre technology man, this is a good book. The detailed descriptions of the remains, good pictures, and summaries of the scientific studies is very informative. This book is hard to get. I bought the last available copy in the US when I bought it for my Mummies of the World class. I highly recommend if you want to learn more about the remains of our ancestors and what the bodies can tell us, this is one of the best books for the job.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Students love it!, June 7, 2010

By 

JR "JR" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Earthly Remains: The History and Science of Preserved Human Bodies (Hardcover)

My middle school science students love this book! Bog bodies are my favorite subject when teaching science so this book was a great resource.