Written in Bones: How Human Remains Unlock the Secrets of the Dead (Paperback)

From these case studies one can begin to understand how ancient bodies are yielding their secrets to forensic science. Each case study produces more revelations. For me one of the most amazing was "The Wife of the Marquis of Dai" who died in China some 160 years before the birth of Christ. Her body is almost perfectly preserved and it has been discovered that she suffered from about 10 diseases, including tuberculosis, but that she died from a heart attack due to overeating.

I found this book a delight. I've always been impressed by the way forensic anthropologists can sample, analyze and deduce human stories from these ancient bones. This book presents the results in a very readable fashion and should help to create wider interest and understanding of this fascinating topic.

From the suspected "massacre" at Mohenjo Daro to real ones in Vilnius and Beacon Island, Bahn relates the finds and what they mean. The contorted skeletons of Mohenjo Daro appear to have met violent deaths during a conquest. The real cause was due to a combination of flooding, tainted water and successive waves of building. Other mysteries, such as whether Pharaoh Tutankhamen was murdered, remain unsolved. Mummies from the Western Hemisphere, have proven more expressive. Bahn evokes our sympathy for the Inca children found on Andean peaks. There's clearly more feeling aroused at the sight of a nearly perfectly preserved ancient child than occurs with anonymous skeletons. Even stronger feelings arise when you encounter the image of a young man wearing a helmet - and a rope around his throat. Why was he murdered? Even more poignant is the blindfolded girl with partially shaved head. She was purposely drowned.

Even where the deaths were likely natural, Bahn gives us glimpses of inexplicable burial practices. Many cultures have cremated their dead, but to pack the remains in urns placed in straw models of the living is unique. For many centuries various societies disarticulated skeletons, choosing some bones for internment while discarding others. Leg, arm and other large bones may be found but toes, fingers and ribs were thrown away. The skull, of course, retained prominence, sometimes collected in large numbers. Respect doesn't necessarily mean stability - many skulls seem to have been transported from place to place. According to Bahn this suggests the living may have hoped to invoke the accumulated wisdom of the departed even if the external environment forced relocation.

As indicated, much of this book is devoted to images. The photography is excellent, with images ranging from broad vistas to close-up analysis of disease-damaged bones. Some of the illustrations depict reconstructions of faces built up from skulls. Star Trek buffs will find the image on page 82 startling! There are also many good drawings that amplify the photographs. In fact, the only missing element in this book is maps. Another near-omission is Bahn's bibliography. There are references to specific sites and topics, all deeply academic. For the general reader, the obvious target of this book, some additional general recommended reading might have helped enlarge the picture. "Gray's Anatomy", while highly informative, is unlikely to occupy a place on your shelf. These are minimal aspects of a truly worthwhile book. Bahn's choices and presentation is a fine accomplishment at many levels. Much of our past is revealed and questions needing attention are detailed. There's more digging and analysis to do. Start with this book to see what's been done.