Mummies

Mummies provide a window into the traditions and rituals practiced by ancient cultures. Modern analyses on their bones, teeth, hair and preserved soft tissues can also provide information on the health conditions these ancient people experienced, as well as what type of food they ate. Here's the latest news on mummies and what analyses have revealed about their lives.
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Latest about mummies

'This is complete nonsense': Scientists rail against 'alien' bodies shown before Mexican congress
By Owen Jarus published
Scientists blast claims of two 'alien' bodies that a journalist presented to Mexico's congress.

Elite ancient Egyptian woman was embalmed with exotic ingredients smelling of vanilla and larch, new analysis reveals
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
Chemical analyses have revealed the specific components ancient Egyptians used to embalm the dead, including exotic ingredients that were acquired through trading.

Ötzi the Iceman may have been bald and getting fat before his murder 5,300 years ago
By Tom Metcalfe published
A new DNA analysis reveals that Ötzi the Iceman was genetically predisposed to male-pattern baldness, diabetes and obesity.

2,300-year-old Egyptian mummification workshops found at Saqqara
By Owen Jarus published
Archaeologists in Egypt found ancient mummification workshops — one for humans and one for animals — at Saqqara.

Ancient Egyptian children were plagued with blood disorders, mummies reveal
By Hannah Kate Simon published
A look at 21 ancient Egyptian mummified children reveals that one-third of them had a blood disorder known as anemia.

Haunting 'mermaid' mummy discovered in Japan is even weirder than scientists expected
By Harry Baker published
A new analysis of a mummified "mermaid" found in a Japanese temple has revealed exactly what it is made from, and it's not what scientists thought.

Elaborate underground embalming workshop discovered at Saqqara
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
A workshop discovered in Saqqara showcases the different ingredients ancient Egyptians used for embalming.

Rise and fall of the Teutonic Knights in All About History 126
By Jonathan Gordon published
Inside All About History 126: Discover why the Teutonic Knights brought their holy war back to Europe and how they became a major medieval power.
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