Tales Mummies Tell by Patricia Lauber
"Tales Mummies Tell" by Patricia Lauber explores the intriguing world of mummies across various cultures and time periods, presenting a scientific perspective on their significance. The book delves into mummification practices beyond the well-known Egyptian examples, including frozen mammoths and peat bog burials, broadening the scope of the subject. Lauber documents significant archaeological excavations, elucidating how preserved bodies provide insights into ancient societies, their diseases, burial techniques, and lifestyles. Each chapter is dedicated to specific geographical regions, allowing readers to understand the diverse methods of mummification. Accompanied by over seventy black-and-white photographs and X-rays, the text visually supports the scholarly information, although some images may be intense for younger audiences. Lauber also raises thought-provoking questions regarding the fates of certain individuals, encouraging readers to seek further research. Overall, the book serves as an engaging blend of mystery and scientific discovery, designed to captivate young readers and inspire a deeper interest in archaeology and history.
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Subject Terms
Tales Mummies Tell by Patricia Lauber
First published: 1985; illustrated
Subjects: Crime, death, health and illness, and science
Type of work: Science
Recommended Ages: 10-13
Form and Content
InTales Mummies Tell, Patricia Lauber presents the mystery of mummies in detail and with scientific exactness. She avoids the traditional discussion of mummification as seen in the Egyptian culture by approaching the subject universally to include frozen, mummified mammoths and peat bog graves containing alleged miscreants preserved since the Iron Age. Moving the reader from twelve thousand years ago, when woolly mammoths roamed the earth, to the early seventeenth century, the author documents several mummy excavations and accurately defines the scientific value of the findings at each site. The amassed information gained by scientists from mummified bodies verifies knowledge about ancient cultures that otherwise could be only surmised. Authorities on mummification thoroughly examine the bodies to discover diseases suffered by the populace, the tools of the culture, mummification techniques, sociological data, and causes of death.
The book categorizes well-documented mummy sites according to methods of burial and geography. Lauber also includes animal mummification, both accidental (as with mammoths) and intentional (as with Egyptian mummies). The book displays more than seventy black-and-white photographs and several artistic renderings in order to augment the well-drafted text; a credit page indicates the sources of the photographs. Younger readers may be alarmed by the realism of the photographs because many mummies, particularly the bog-buried bodies, depict graphic, lifelike human forms. X rays and schematics further clarify the research. Lauber moves around the world presenting mummies from the former Soviet Union, Peru, Egypt, and Europe, with each area appropriately constituting its own chapter, seven chapters total. The author concludes her text with a succinct bibliography as a guide for those youths who seek more detailed information on mummification. The four-page index will assist the average reader; while it could be more expansive, it will aid most youthful researchers. In all, the book is attractively presented and formatted for easy reading.
Lauber affirmed in this book her reputation for detail and a scholarly approach to scientific subjects. She explains the carbon 14 dating principle in a manner that most young people will comprehend. X-ray images offer an amazing look into the past and Lauber reveals some secrets of the mummies unknown until the scientists examined crypts. One X ray revealed a baby’s head buried between her mother’s thighs; another disclosed a small, female baboon encased in bindings buried with a human previously thought to be its mother. X rays also divulged evidence of parasitic plague suffered by many Egyptians. Mummies hold the key evidence concerning the diseases, diets, and life spans of ancient civilizations. Sociologists are able to expand on the physical information provided by mummies to extrapolate lifestyle choices of the societies that offer up their preserved dead. Several discussions in the book center on types of death, particularly those experienced by alleged criminals. Bodies buried in peat bogs have leather thongs tightly encircling their necks, suggesting a painful form of death. Mummies with broken bones and crushed skulls represent accident victims or executed criminals. Lauber does not always offer explanations, which may inspire readers to research the causes of these individuals’ fates. Thus, the book contains the elements of a good mystery among the scientific data found in each chapter.
Critical Context
Patricia Lauber considers herself a serious author of informative juvenile literature. She has written for Scholastics Magazine and has moved in scholarly circles, with staff positions at Science World, The New Book of Knowledge, and Scientific American Illustrated Library. Lauber has published books on volcanoes, dinosaurs, earthquakes, glaciers, rivers, and icebergs and such creatures as earthworms, penguins, dogs, bats, and mice. She also documents nations—their people, scientists, and environment.
Volcano: The Eruption and Healing of Mount St. Helens (1986), received several prestigious awards. Tales Mummies Tell received the New York Academy of Sciences Honor Book citation in 1986. Lauber is the author of many other books with archeological themes, such as Dinosaurs Walked Here and Other Stories Fossils Tell (1987), The News About Dinosaurs (1989), and Living with Dinosaurs (1991).
Lauber began writing in a lighthearted manner; she first wrote of her dog Clarence in a series of humorous misadventures. Editors soon realized that she had the ability to surprise and fascinate adults while explaining information to intermediate readers. Lauber suggests that her ability to write emanates from her love of hearing others read. She writes of those subjects that interest her, and, judging by her long list of books, curiosity has served her well.