Egyptian Mummies

by Bob Brier

Egyptian Mummies results from research done in preparation for the mummification of a human body, the first to be done in the Egyptian style in two thousand years. Through these studies, noted Egyptologist Bob Brier has unearthed the gripping stories of grave robberies and stolen mummies, the forgotten language of the pharaohs, and the tombs of the royal mummies. In an easily accesible and lively style, Brier uncovers the complete historical context of ancient Egyptian culture and offers a fascinating contemporary interpretation of it. Illuminating their mysteries, myths, sacred rituals, and heiroglyphic writing, Egyptian Mummies brings the ancients to life.

Genres: History, Egypt, Nonfiction, Egyptology, Anthropology, Archaeology, Historical

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Robert Brier (born December 13, 1943), also known as Mr. Mummy, is an American Egyptologist specializing in paleopathology. A Senior Research Fellow at Long Island University/LIU Post, he has researched and published on mummies and the mummification process and has appeared in many Discovery Civilization documentaries, primarily on ancient Egypt.
Born and raised in The Bronx, New York, Brier earned his bachelor's degree from Hunter College of the City University of New York. From 1966 to 1970, he was on the research staff of the Institute of Parapsychology (formerly the Foundation for Research on the Nature of Man) in Durham, North Carolina, where he worked on such books as Parapsychology Today and Test Your ESP. He earned his PhD in philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1970 and began teaching at Long Island University in 1972. He served as chairman of the philosophy department from 1981 to 1996 and has also served as the director of the National Endowment for the Humanities' "Egyptology Today" program. He was appointed Senior Research Fellow at LIU Post in 2004. In addition to his career at Long Island University, Brier has taught ancient Egyptian at The New School and Egyptology at Webb Institute for many years.
Brier has conducted research in mummification practices worldwide. He has investigated well-known mummies such as Tutankhamen, Ramses the Great, Vladimir Lenin, Eva Perón (more commonly known as Evita), and the Medici family.

In 1994, Brier and a colleague, Ronald Wade, director of the State Anatomy Board of Maryland, claimed to be the first people in 2,000 years to mummify a human cadaver using ancient Egyptian techniques. This research earned Brier the affectionate nickname "Mr. Mummy" and was also the subject of the National Geographic television special of the same name, which made him a household name. He is also the host of several television programmes for the TLC Network including The Great Egyptians, Pyramids, Mummies and Tombs, and Mummy Detective. His research has been featured in Archaeology Magazine, The New York Times, CNN, 60 Minutes and 20/20.
In 1999, Brier gave a series of 48 specially-prepared lectures entitled "The History of Ancient Egypt" for The Teaching Company. He later did another series of 12 lectures for them, focusing on "Great Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt". Brier is a recipient of Long Island University's David Newton award for Teaching Excellence.
He leads tours to Egypt for Far Horizons Archaeological and Cultural trips.

Reviews

[Jill H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that I know nothing about the art of mummification and it appears that scientists weren't quite sure about it either. In this interesting book, the author, an Egyptologist, provides the reader with a history of the discovery, study, and modern interpretation of all aspects of how and why mummies became a subject of interest. This book was written about 25 years ago and advances in the study (if there are any) would not be included. This certainly doesn't affect the enjoyment of this ancient art.

He covers some the following topics;
*A listing and description of the known royal mummies (think Tutankhamen); their unwrapping, X-rays/CAT scans, and where they are housed today
*Stories of grave robbers and plunderers that go back since ancient Egypt.
*The religious rites and amazing treasures buried with the mummies.
*A humorous last chapter on the appearance of mummies in film and literature where they are usually walking the earth killing people.

I was very pleased that he included photographs/illustrations, some of which are quite historic and amazing. The book has some slow, rather technical spots, but not enough to quell the reader's interest. An entertaining and educational book.

[Shainlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to purchase this book for my Egyptology course and one day, I just picked it up and started reading and kept going. It is an interesting book and tells you all about the mummification process in detail. Bob is an interesting guy anyway. He came to our university to speak. He also had a cool show. When it came time to sell my books I didn't sell this one or any of my Egyptology. I was raised around it and my professor was the best. He knew everything. In memory of him I kept a lot of books.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough how much i enjoyed this book, it had EVERYTHING, Egyptian history, the mummification process, illustrations, pictures, even a chapter at the end illustrating how mummies and Egyptian history has influenced literature in the field, movies.
I have read lots of books on Egypt and associated subjects to do with that period of history but i learnt a lot from this that hasn't been dealt with in other books, all the information is told in an informal, easy to read style but the text is not in any way in my opinion patronising to the reader.
Well worth reading if you are just starting reading about the subject as its a great introduction or it makes wonderful background reading if you have a knowledge of the issues explored.
This book has something for everyone at all levels of knowledge and understanding.
It actually led me to track down the author's companion book "Ancient Egyptian magic."

[Chris Linebaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Professor Brier surveys the available evidence we have for how the ancient Egyptians practiced mummification and provides some interesting anecdotes along the way. I would have liked to see a synthesis at the end of the book, where he draws on the available evidence discussed thus far to describe the mummification process step-by-step. I was also disappointed that he did not explain the outcome of his mummification project with National Geographic (this project was discussed in the intro, and the book was framed as the results of his investigation for the project). But overall it was an interesting read.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is an older book hailing from the early 1990s, the chapters in which he discusses each dynasty's mummy status (found, lost, missing) to be a helpful inventory. His expertise and storytelling tone throughout the book make for enjoyable reading as well as being insightful for new and more knowledgeable reader on the subject. The last chapter which covers mummy in fiction and film was revealing because there were stories and films I had not heard of before. And, I wondered what he would have to say about the mummy films since 1994.

[John Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very informative introduction [for me] into the world of Egyptian mummification. I learned a lot and also how much more there is to learn. After watching Bob Brier do a Great Courses lecture, I was impressed with how well his book read. It's nice that someone with his level of passion can also write so well and clearly, granted he may have a good team to process his work, but nonetheless.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would have been better if Brier had delved further into the actual techniques of mummification and the methods used for modern embalming. Perhaps some pictures of the tools used would have enhanced the book. I would have liked to have read more about paleopathology. I was absolutely enthralled by how so many Egyptians died from tooth decay due to sand getting into their food. Nonetheless, considering I FINALLY read this book 16 years after it was published, Brier did an excellent job compiling all of his research on mummies and mummification up to 1994. Too bad he never published his experiences (in a book) with mummifying a human body at the University of Maryland.

[RunRachelRun · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband Steverino got this for me for my birthday or maybe it was a romantic Valentine's Gift (you can never go wrong with diamonds or a good book) because he knows my obsession with mummies. It all started in Portugal in some museum in which I being a child, turned around and looked into a glass case, and staring back at me with withered eye sockets, was... the mummy of a child. Well, that just cracked it. I've been scared and fascinated by mummies my whole darn life.

[Krys · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time a long time ago, and at that time I was very, very interested in mummies and knew a lot about them already. This book basically rehashed everything I already knew, and the part I was most interested in--the mummy that Brier actually made--wasn't given much "airtime." So, for me, this wasn't the greatest book. However, as a basic source of info on Egyptian mummies, it's pretty good.

[Russell Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good summary of Egyptian Mummies. Many things have since been discovered such as Hatchepsut's Mummy, and the children of King Tutankhamun have been rediscovered and in a pitiful condition. I did see the Nat Geo special and it was good to have the background information from this book. Not too gory or horror seeking, but good science and research. I also liked the chapter on Mummy media and literature at the end. It serves as an enhanced bibliography.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Bob, how I love thee. If you have seen any of his TV series, you know he is a nerdy little guy but he knows his stuff and the book is absolutely fascinating. It even had me (briefly) consider studying the topic in grad school.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed this book even though its not my perferred period of history