Pyramids and Mummies

Title: Pyramids and Mummies
Author: Seymour Simon
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Copyright: 2003 by Seymour Simon
Pages: 40
Ages: 9-12
Genre: Non-fiction

Summary:
This is an informational book that describes the pyramids and mummification process of the Egyptians.
Pyramids were built for the Pharaoh’s in Ancient Egypt. Each pyramid built, was built for a specific Pharaoh. It was believed that the Pharaoh was a God in human form. The people of Egypt believed that the land West of the Nile was toward the land of the dead, and that’s why the sun sets in the West. Every Pyramid is built on the west bank of the Nile.
Most of the Pyramids are built on a large square base that is the length of several city blocks. And while they are built in the shape of a pyramid, no one really knows why, because they used to simply have burial mounds.
The Step pyramid of Zoser was Built 4,700 years ago.
The Great Pyramid of Khufu was built 4,500 years ago and until the Eiffel Tower was built, it was the tallest building in the world.
The Next largest Pyramid was Khafre’s. It looks larger than the Great Pyramid because it is built on higher ground.
After a Pharaohs death, boats were provided for their trip to the underworld. Each Pharaoh had his name carved into a cartouche. And their names were written in Hieroglyphics. However because no one has written in hieroglyphics in over 2000 years, it is impossible to determine some of the symbols.
The Sphinx is 4,500 years old and was mostly buried in sand, but because it was dug out, the once well preserved Sphinx is now deteriorating. It is believed that it was placed there to guard the tomb.
While preparing a Pharaoh’s body for burial, it would take 70 days to complete the process. That’s over 2 months. All of the organs would be removed, minus the heart because the Egyptians believed that the heart contained the soul.
The Body was placed in a salt bath for 40 days, and then filled with salt, had wax poured over them, their hair done and face painted and then wrapped in cloth. Each appendage was individually wrapped and then bound together. This took an additional 30 days.
The body was then placed in a sarcophagus. He was buried in this, with all of his Jewels and Gold and Servants. Most of the treasures were stolen, despite measure to protect them. The greatest treasure ever found was in King Tut’s tomb.
Pyramids were carefully planned before being constructed. They used accurate measurements to figure out how it all would go together. Pyramids are mainly built of limestone and no one truly knows how they were built. The Great Pyramid weighs approximately 6.5 billion tons and there isn’t even room to slip a knife between each block.
The Aztec and Mayan people built similar structures although the insides are filled with other things like rubble.
Even today we make pyramids. For example, in Las Vegas there is a hotel in the shape of a pyramid.

Recommendations:
I would recommend this to children about 10-12 years old. I think younger children might be frightened by the pictures of mummies. But a slightly older group would enjoy the pictures and the information provided.

Problems:
Some of the pictures are rather disturbing. There are several pictures of the dead Pharaohs and while they’re very well preserved, they still don’t look the greatest.

My Reaction:
I enjoyed this book, I’ve always liked Egypt and the stories related to it. I learned some new things and was able to enjoy the photos as well.