Mysterious deaths, enigmatic corpses, and mummies? They exist not only in Egypt! Even today, people are embalmed after their death, and it's not so rare for a body to dry out and become a mummy in this way. The preparator Alfred Riepertinger is an expert on mummies and a leading authority in the field of embalming. He now shares the spine-tingling moment when he opens a centuries-old coffin: What secrets will the mummified body reveal when examined? Alfred Riepertinger explains how a person becomes a mummy and describes the techniques he personally uses in embalming. Alongside captivating stories about famous and lesser-known mummies, he also investigates myths surrounding death and decay – is there such a thing as corpse poison, for example? Fascinating, astonishing, and unexpected insights from the realm of mummies.