Why'd They Do That? Strange Customs of the Past

Mummification was a complicated process. In Egypt, brains were dragged with a hook through the body's nose, and organs were put in jars to bury alongside the body! Why would anyone want to do that? Many civilizations believed in an afterlife and thought that a body should remain in a good condition to travel there. Egyptians were well known for their mummies, but many other civilizations practiced the art, too. China, South America, Italy, and the Canary Islands all have mummies. Some mummies happened naturally, such as in extreme cold places or peat bogs. Some more modern famous people have been preserved, such as Russian premier Vladimir Lenin and the philosopher Jeremy Bentham, who still sits in a chair on display at a University in London, England! This fascinating book gives readers a compelling look at the science and historical contexts behind mummification, and shows them through detailed photographs and creative illustrations the world of mummies up close!

Gladiators were mostly slaves and ex-soldiers, but some actually volunteered to fight for ancient Rome's entertainment. Gladiators went to special schools to acquire the skills needed to best opponents and survive to fight another day. This absorbing book gives detailed descriptions of weapons, armor, rules of the arena, and different--often gruesome--gladiatorial events. Roman history comes alive in photographs of the Colosseum and ancient artifacts, as well as in famous paintings and instructive illustrations. Thankfully, this brutal practice is a piece of the past, but much can be learned about Roman culture through its study.

Human sacrifice is a gruesome yet fascinating part of many cultures' histories. While it's well known that the ancient Aztecs practiced human sacrifice, many other peoples did as well, including the Thuggees, the Maya, and the ancient Egyptians. This compelling book relays the significance of such brutal acts and explains each culture's devotion to their gods and the afterlife. Readers also learn about modern acts of sacrifice, such as the kamikaze pilots of World War II. Vibrant illustrations and eye-catching photographs enhance the engrossing information on each page.

It wasn't that long ago that dueling was an accepted practice in many parts of the world. In fact, duels were once considered an honorable way to solve a problem. The American navy actually included the Code Duello, the rules for conducting a duel, in its handbook until 1862. Readers are introduced to the special language of dueling and the famous people who participated in duels-or narrowly avoided them-including Andrew Jackson, Edgar Allen Poe, and Alexander Hamilton. Surprising facts are highlighted in sidebars throughout the text, such as the common practice of purposefully shooting away from one's opponent. Dynamic images and illustrations transport readers back to the days of pistols drawn at dawn.

Body snatching is the act of digging up bodies from graveyards. This creepy practice was at its most prevalent in the 1800s, when doctors paid for bodies so that they could learn about human anatomy. Body snatching was so common that special coffins and even weapons were invented to protect graves. Readers will be amazed by bizarre accounts of famous body snatchers and how they were brought to justice. They will be astounded that body snatching still happens in modern times. Interesting fact boxes, helpful illustrations, and colorful photographs support this fascinating text.

From a modern perspective, it seems incredible that people were once executed for practicing witchcraft. Yet, in medieval Europe and colonial America, more than 12,000 lost their lives this way. The "proof" of witchery was often as scanty as a physical deformity or as outrageous as the water test: If the tied-up suspect floated in water, they were guilty; if they sunk, they were innocent! Readers will be fascinated by reports of famous and lesser-known witch trials accompanied by vivid photographs, colorful illustrations, and intriguing fact boxes. They'll learn how dubious accusations, circumstantial evidence, and a lack of scientific knowledge proved fatal for so many.