Examining the remains of seven Egyptian mummies ranging from a prehistoric farmer who lived about 3400 b.c. to a schoolboy from Roman Egypt in 120 a.d., the author, a lecturer at the British Museum, provides a fascinating introduction to history. She explains where and how mummies were found, how they were made and why, how they were treated by early archaeologists and treasure seekers, and what can be learned, from studying mummies, about history, medicine, and life in the past. Mummies are treated with dignity and photographed with sensitivity. Portraits and painted plaster portrait masks are particularly effective, as are the inclusion of oddities that will appeal to young readers, such as, for example, animal mummies, with photographs from the underground tombs at Saqqara, which contain millions of mummified ibis. The author includes a map, timeline, glossary, further reading, index, and picture credits. Vivid, full-color photographs, lively writing, and an attractive and accessible format make this a first choice for studying the life and times of ancient Egypt. (Nonfiction. 10-14)
