Earthly Remains: The History and Science of Preserved Human Bodies
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, NCCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.