Mummies have gripped the popular imagination through highly publicized discoveries and macabre horror movies. But for the ancient Egyptians, mummification and a full set of magical "machinery" including a tomb, a sarcophagus, masks, amulets and canopic jars was essential to secure eternal life. This work comprises a survey of the entire panoply of Egyptian burial equipment over 3,000 years. Part 1 provides an overview of burial rites and tomb development, from the Giza pyramids to the Valley of the Kings and beyond. Great discoveries are documented, from Belzoni's early explorations to Tutankhamun's magnificent tomb and recent scientific detective-work using x-rays and CAT-scanners. Part 2 provides a detailed survey of changing burial practices during the pharonic era. The authors reveal the evolution of methods for treating the body. All important innovations are described, incorporating the latest research, some carried out by the authors themselves.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Scientific American
Ikram, an Egyptologist, and Dodson, an archaeologist specializing in Egyptian funerary practices and aspects of dynastic history, combine to produce a comprehensive account of how Egyptian mummies were made, wrapped, adorned and sheltered for an afterlife. Their story covers 33 dynasties and a span of some 3,000 years, beginning about 3050 B.C. The 485 illustrations show tombs, mummies, the mummifiers' methods of embalming and many funerary accessories. "Everything," the authors say, "depended on the Egyptian belief in eternal life, and the need to provide for it." The account also traces the study of mummies from the often clumsy procedures of the 19th century to the x-rays, CT scans, endoscopy, scanning electron microscopy and DNA-testing techniques available today.
About the Author
Salima Ikram is Assistant Professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo. Aidan Dodson is Visiting Fellow in Archaeology at the University of Bristol.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely wonderful,
By Seti "setithegreat" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Mummy in Ancient Egypt: Equipping the Dead for Eternity (Hardcover)
Those who are interested in Ancient Egyptian mummification practices will find this book fascinating. Each aspect of the funerary practices is described in great depth, following its development through different periods of Egyptian history. It is a very detailed account, with lots of illustrations. Absolutely great analysis of the royal mummies; fascinating photos - which, I admit, might gross some people out, but that's what makes them so great.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Readable Summary of Everything a Layman Wants to Know,
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Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: The Mummy in Ancient Egypt: Equipping the Dead for Eternity (Hardcover)
This book delivers on what it promises--It is a readable and fascinating book on Egyptian funeral practices (mummies, sarcophagi, accoutrements, etc.), and how they changed over thousands of years. There is a useful appendix with a table summarizing how different aspects of funeral practice changed over the course of Egyptian civilization. The photography is excellent, though some of the illustrations of the mummies themselves are a bit spooky!
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Descriptive and informative for experts and amateurs.,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Mummy in Ancient Egypt: Equipping the Dead for Eternity (Hardcover)
This is a very interesting book with excellent illustrations and very informative. It is a hard book to put down. It is highly recommended even for someone who has a slight interest in the subject of mummification.
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