Mummies around the World

Perfect for school and public libraries this is the only reference book to combine pop culture with science to uncover the mystery behind mummies and the mummification phenomena.Mortality and death have always fascinated humankind. Civilizations from all over the world have practiced mummification as a means of preserving life after deatha ritual which captures the imagination of scientists artists and laypeople alike. This comprehensive encyclopedia focuses on all aspects of mummies: their ancient and modern history; their scientific study; their occurrence around the world; the religious and cultural beliefs surrounding them; and their roles in literary and cinematic entertainment.Author and horror guru Matt Cardin brings together 130 original articles written by an international roster of leading scientists and scholars to examine the art science and religious rituals of mummification throughout history. Through a combination of factual articles and topical essays this book reviews cultural beliefs about death; the afterlife; and the interment entombment and cremation of human corpses in places like Egypt Europe Asia and Central and South America. Additionally the book covers the phenomenon of natural mummification where environmental conditions result in the spontaneous preservation of human and animal remains.