About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their child begins asking big questions about what happens after people die or when they show a budding interest in archaeology and forensics. It serves as a bridge between historical curiosity and scientific understanding, framing the process of mummification as a sophisticated cultural achievement rather than a spooky trope. While it covers the physical reality of preservation, it focuses on the 'why' behind these rituals across different global civilizations. Appropriate for the 8 to 11 age range, this DK reader uses clear language and detailed photography to demystify the macabre. Parents will appreciate how it balances the 'cool factor' of ancient mysteries with educational insights into chemistry, biology, and sociology. It is an excellent choice for kids who outgrow simple picture books and crave factual depth about how the world, and the humans in it, used to function.
