The invention of mummification enabled the ancient Egyptians to preserve the bodies not only of humans but also of animals, so that they could live forever. This book draws together studies on the different types of animal mummies, the methods of mummification, and the animal cemeteries located at sites throughout Egypt.

A fascinating mix of archaeology, history, and medical imaging shedding new light on ancient Egyptian animal mummies, this fully illustrated volume explores the important role granted to animals in Egyptian life--they were seen as equals to humans within creation, endowed with souls. By providing vital background information, backed up with scientific examination of the techniques of mummification, this new book is the first proper, accessible survey of this fascinating side of ancient Egyptian life. It is full of amazing images of mummies, sculptures, and small decorative objects. Accompanies a major travelling exhibition - Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, CA, March 22-June 15, 2014; Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Memphis, TN, October 18, 2014-January 18, 2015; Brooklyn Museum , NY, Summer/Fall 2015.

Describes animal mummies, along with some of the most famous animal mummies. Also informs where the animals have been found, how the animals are mummified, how scientists study them, and what they can teach us about the past.

Animal mummies hold fascinating secrets. They teach us hidden facts about the past. This narrative nonfiction book examines animal mummies from all over the world and different types of mummification. Look inside to unwrap these ancient treasures. Each book includes a table of contents, glossary of key words, index, author biography, sidebars, and mummy map.

Clearly written text offers an answer to the question of why ancient Egyptians mummified thousands and thousands of cats. An easy-to-understand introduction to ancient Egyptian history.

Diverse bioarchaeological studies (using both traditional as well as innovative and advanced technologies), covering topics as varied as food, the mummification industry, and health and diseases, giving new insight into how the ancient Egyptians interacted with the flora and fauna that surrounded them.

The role of animal mummies as votive offerings in ancient Egypt and how their discovery, excavation, collection, curation, conservation and scientific study by the British contributes to our knowledge of this enigmatic and little-understood practice.

Discusses mummies found around the world, including Peru, Denmark, and the Italian Alps, and explains how studying them provides clues to past ways of life.

A scholarly examination of burial rites and tomb development explains how Egyptian mummies were preserved, wrapped, decorated, and sheltered for eternity

In 1999 a full-scale research project was launched by the Radiological Department of the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam and the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden to scan a series of human and animal mummies from the museum's collection. Between 1999 and 2003, 29 human mummies, 8 dissected heads and various animal mummies were scanned and this volume presents the results of these investigations. The book begins by looking at the history of the collection and acquisitions, at early investigations carried out on the mummies from the early 19th century onwards, through to the radiological studies of the last fifty years. A general survey of mummification techniques, and archaeological and scientific research into them, is also given. The main part of the book comprises the results of the radiological scans which are discussed in terms of physical anthropology, anatomical embalming details, degree of preservation, anomalies and palaeopathology, wrappings and artefacts. This is followed by a catalogue of both the human and animal mummies (cats, lambs, birds, reptiles and fish) that were part of the project including details on acquisition, provenance, date, dimensions, description of the exterior, radiological description and comments. This is volume one of a new series of monographs dedicated to the archaeological finds in the Leiden Museum of Antiquities. Future volumes include studies of demotic contracts on papyrus, and discussion of the museum's excavations at Saqqara and Tell Sabi Abyad.