Egyptian Mummies and Modern Science

by Rosalie David (Editor), Patricia Lambert-Zazulak (Editor)

Egyptian mummies have always aroused popular and scientific interest; however, most modern studies, although significantly increased in number and range, have been published in specialist journals. Now, this unique book, written by a long-established team of scientists based at the University of Manchester (England), brings this exciting, cross-disciplinary area of research to a wider readership. Its main aim is to show how this team's multidisciplinary, investigative methods and the unique resource of the Egyptian Mummy Tissue Bank are being used for the new major international investigations of disease evolution and ancient Egyptian pharmacy and pharmacology. It also assesses the current status of palaeopathology and ancient DNA research, and treatments available for conserving mummified remains. Descriptions of the historical development of Egyptian mummifications and medicine and detailed references to previous scientific investigations provide the context for firsthand accounts of cutting-edge research by prominent specialists in this field, demonstrating how these techniques can contribute to a new perspective on Egyptology.

Genres: Egypt, History

326 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2008

About the author

From Ancient Egypt Magazine:

PROFESSOR ROSALIE DAVID OBE has achieved world renown for her pioneering work in investigating mummies using non-destructive techniques. She is Director of the KNH Centre for Biological and Forensic Studies in Egyptology at The University of Manchester. For over 25 years her Certificate Course in Egyptology has been consistently oversubscribed. The Distance Learning Course in Egyptology has proved equally popular.

Prof David was the former Keeper of Egyptology at the Manchester Museum, and is Director of the International Mummy Database and Director of the Schistosomiasis Investigation Project. Her research work into this disease, a scourge in the ancient as well as the modern world, was recognised recently with a prestigious award from the Anglo-French Medical Society. Prof David is the author of numerous books and articles on mummies and the religious practices of the ancient Egyptians, a presenter of TV and radio programmes, and an extremely popular lecturer all over the world.

Rosalie David was the first woman professor in Egyptology in Britain, and the first to receive an OBE in recognition of her services in Egyptology.