Earthly Remains: The History and Science of Preserved Human Bodies

by Mike Parker Pearson

The preserved remains of other human beings hold a special fascination for the living. Earthly Remains explores the history and science behind such phenomena and examine cases ranging from ancient Egyptian mummies to twentieth-century politicians, from Iron Age bog bodies to cryonics and
modern preservation techniques. After explaining the scientific processes of decay, the authors move on to discuss the bog bodies of northern Europe, including the famous Lindow Man and several Danish examples, many of which were found mutilated or handicapped. The authors then turn their attention
to one of the oldest methods of preservation-mummification-looking not only at famous ancient Egyptian examples, but also at the earliest known mummies of the Chinchorro people from South America. The preservation of bodies as a result of environmental factors such as freezing is also addressed, and
the painstaking scientific processes involved in unearthing and interpreting finds such as those at Pompeii and Sutton Hoo is described.
Finally, this study would not be complete without a look at modern preservation methods and humanity's perennial search for immortality through techniques such as cryonics, cloning, DNA and suspended animation. Extensively illustrated with haunting images gathered from the collections of cultural
institutions around the world, such as the British Museum, Earthly Remains is a compelling book that will appeal to everyone's sense of mystery in the history and origins of our ancestors.

Genres: Archaeology, History, Nonfiction, Science, Death, Anthropology, Biology

216 pages, Hardcover

First published April 18, 2002

Reviews

[Tristram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite its age, Earthly Remains holds up to a very professional standard that impressed me greatly. In fact, I believe it might have been one of the most compelling books I have read this year. Chamberlain and Pearson combine an academic, considered approach to research with a talent for conveying information in an accessible manner that doesn't stoop to infantilisation.

They cover many different forms of body preservation techniques, both natural and artificial, as well as intended and accidental. These techniques originate from many different time periods and places on a wide global perspective, which gives brilliant insight to how cultures developed and differed socially, as well as how geographical location may have had influence on changes in practices. There is a review on here complaining that the book lacked comparison and contrast, but I don't agree with that. Enough links are made between topics and enough information is given to encourage you to be able to summarise yourself how these methods differentiated or related. Just because you are not spoon-fed every summary doesn't mean that it is lacking in substance.

Although it was possibly the shortest section, the chapter on modern embalming was actually very beneficial to me as I seem to get many enquiries and questions about embalming at work and I always feel like I can never give enough information! It is fascinating how it was and is presented as a practice of hygiene by US Americans and then spread throughout the Western world, despite the fact that it has little impact on disease and sanitation and is actually rather pointless other than to perpetuate the denial of death and for transportation across long distances. Yet as is mentioned in the book, this is just another culture - even if it is part of a homogenised 'jeans and cola' culture, to quote Chamberlain and Pearson.

Although published by The British Museum Press, the authors discuss with great sensitivity and anti-colonialist sentiment the topic of indigenous preservation and how since the Enlightenment it has been a European fixation to steal, desecrate, and display bodies of many different groups of indigenous people in great violation of their beliefs and rituals. I found this section very well written and illuminating to something that I wasn't really aware of to such an extent that it did happen.

This is a wonderful book all-round, and it's a shame it is so unread because it deserves a lot more attention.

[Kylie McGenniskin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book on the varying methods of accidental and purposeful body preservation. Covers sites and methods from all over the world. Sadly does not cover shrunken heads, but I guess you can't have everything! Good introduction to various methods of body preservation and what those methods tend to preserve, how much those bodies can tell us about death, and the living from ages past.

[Krys · Rating 3 out of 5]

EARTHLY REMAINS by Andrew T. Chamberlain provides a general overview of preserved human bodies throughout time and from all over the world. Preserved bodies discussed include bog bodies (eg Lindow Man), frozen bodies (eg the Franklin Expedition), Egyptian mummies, "sandmen," and more recent preserved bodies such as Evita and Lenin. The motivations for preserving bodies as well as the ethics of displaying human remains are discussed from an academic/archaeological perspective.

The text is very readable; even if the reader is unaccustomed to combing through academic texts, there shouldn't be any trouble with this book. I certainly recommend it if you're looking for an overview of preserved human bodies/mummies.

Once again, this book is an overview. It's great for those who need to know the generalities of various types of preserved bodies. If you're already well-read on this subject, you won't learn much that's new from this book.

[Emily Regier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Death and ancient bodies has always interested me and I'm happy with the information this book provided. It was written almost like an essay or thesis, but not difficult to understand. The pictures provided were great! Although sometimes he would describe someone or something and I would have to google it to see a picture of it, so a bit more photos would have been nice.

This book got me very into bog bodies so I'm on a search for a more detailed book about that! Otherwise, an interesting and fun read for anyone with a curiosity for corpses!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

From this book I learned that "Lenin himself had wished for a simple burial," and, presumably, not for 84 years of continuous embalming and display.

[N.A. Fedorak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat disappointing, and didn't compare/contrast any of the different methods enough.