PaleoRadiology – Imaging Mummies and Fossils is a book written by an archaeologist – Dr. Brothwell from York, UK – and a radiologist – Dr. Chhem from London, Ontario, Canada. Contributions were made by 4 other radiologists and scientists from the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC and from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry in London, Ontario.
The book offers an exciting look at radiology from a unique perspective. The first chapter covers the history of paleoradiology starting with radiographs of Egyptian mummies dating as far back as the 1890s. It then leads to newer radiological applications in paleoradiology, such as paleo-CT, including MDCT, and paleo-MRI, including MR spectroscopy.
The second chapter focuses on paleoradiologic techniques. In addition to providing an insight into conventional radiography, CT and MR imaging techniques for non-radiologists, it also offers technical background information for specific applications in paleoradiology, including dental CT. The third chapter covers taphonomic process, i.e. the decay of organisms over time. It describes radiological imaging of the entire range of bioarcheological materials, including botanical remains and zooarcheology. The fourth chapter gives an overview of diagnostic paleoradiology and provides insight into the imaging appearance of various disorders, including traumatic lesions, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors and metabolic disorders. The fifth chapter focuses on zoopaleopathology, i.e. the imaging of animals, while the sixth chapter discusses normal variations in paleoradiology.
Overall, PaleoRadiology – Imaging Mummies and Fossils is a well-written book that provides excellent and exciting imaging material. It is recommended for all radiologists with an interest in archaeology, anthropology and paleopathology, seeking to look beyond the usual spectrum of our field.