From ancient Egyptian mummies and European bog bodies to the plaster citizens of Pompeii, painted people of the Steppe and Japanese self-mummifying monks, this book reveals what scientists and experts have uncovered about our ancestors’ lives from the bodies they left behind. Find out what people of the past ate, wore, believed, and much more in this unique and intricately illustrated book.

With engaging text by Matt Ralphs, written in consultation with experts from the British Museum, and historically accurate and detailed artwork by Gordy Wright, this book will captivate and enlighten readers with an interest in history, archaeology, and anthropology.

Secrets of the Dead: Mummies and Other Human Remains from Around the World by Matt Ralphs is a fascinating exploration of the practice of mummification and the stories behind preserved human remains across different cultures and time periods. Aimed at young readers (but highly engaging for adults, as well) the book delves into the science, history, and mystery surrounding mummies—from ancient Egypt to the Inca civilization and beyond.

The narrative is well-researched and accessible, making complex topics, like preservation techniques, archaeological discoveries, and the cultural significance of mummification understandable to a broad audience. Ralphs offers a balanced view, highlighting the historical and scientific aspects, as well as the ethical considerations involved in studying human remains. His storytelling is rich in detail, with vivid descriptions of mummies unearthed in tombs, frozen in ice, or discovered in bogs, each with its’ own unique backstory.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Gordy Wright, whose detailed and atmospheric illustrations complement the text perfectly. The visual elements help bring to life the ancient artifacts and human remains discussed in the book, making it a highly engaging, multisensory reading experience.

What sets this book apart is its sensitivity and respect for the cultures it explores. Ralphs does not treat the mummies as curiosities, but rather, as people with histories, each offering a glimpse into their lives and times. This respectful approach, combined with solid research and striking visuals, makes Secrets of the Dead a captivating and thought-provoking read for history buffs, budding archaeologists, and curious minds alike.

What's the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word "mummy"? If you're like many, it's probably King Tut and/or Egypt. You'd be right, of course. That said, this book illustrates that the process of preserving bodies and word mummy isn't restricted to Egypt's relatively well-known mummies. As it turns out, the mummification or preservation process was far more wide-spread than I realized. I mean, did you know a sect of monks once sought to self-mummify themselves?

I won't spoil the discovery process for you but will note that for me the way the various people's mummy was humanized was a strong point. We find out, for instance, about a sacrificial ceremony that left a young Inca girl entombed with not only blood still in her veins but her last breathe captured in her lungs before she died. Otzi the Ice Man had some 61 tattoos, all meaningful, and died from an arrowhead embedded in his left shoulder, so probably never saw who killed him. The Tollund Man found in the bogs probably knew, of course, as his preserved body still had a noose around his neck. The attempt of some monks to use self-mummification was totally new to me, I must admit, and both fascinating and horrifying at the hardship and pain that had to be involved.

And, oh, so much more. All capped by a substantial glossary and index at the end as well as a world map showing the location of the various cultures/mummies discussed. Heck, even the tragic citizens of Pompeii get space, including all that a full examination of their bodies disclosed. My thanks to #NosyCrow who published this in collaboration with the British Museum. Absolutely fascinating with great illustrations and easy to understand text.

I love the illustrations in this book. The illustration consistency and information shared are beautiful. As a school librarian, I am looking to update all of my historical section including the ancient Egyptian books. I can't wait for this one to come out so I can purchase it for the library.

Very interesting look at mummies/human remains found around the world and what can be learned about our ancient ancestors from those found! Definitely steer clear of this if dead bodies make you squeamish, but I found it fascinating! Now I want to even more books to read about certain remains discoveries from this book, especially the deadly Northwest Passage voyage! This is going to be a big hit with the Mummy/Egypt obsessed kiddos!

*Publisher lists this as Middle Grade, but I think it will depend on how sensitive the reader is to death/funerary processes/remains.

This was a fun and informative read. I loved the illustrations. The text gave just enough information to be interesting without overwhelming. I'd recommend this to any young patron interested in ancient civilizations, world history, or morbid/shocking topics.

I took off a star because it was jarring to see sentences ending with prepositions in a text like this.