Solving Past Mysteries

Can science solve mysteries that have been buried for centuries?

This gripping high/low nonfiction title explores how forensic experts use science to uncover the truth behind some of history’s oldest and most intriguing unsolved mysteries. From bodies preserved in bogs to the unearthed graves of long-lost kings, readers discover how investigators use DNA, isotope analysis, facial reconstruction, and more to reexamine ancient remains and rewrite history.

Readers meet Ötzi the Iceman, Tutankhamun, Richard III, the Romanovs, and Europe’s bog bodies—each case revealing how forensic science helped experts reconstruct lives, deaths, and historical truths.

Carefully levelled text makes complex science accessible. Both an on-page and end-of-book glossary introduce key vocabulary, helping readers decode language while staying engaged. Key terms are reinforced through critical thinking questions, inspiring further thought about the topic and language. A quiz at the end of the book prompts students to revisit pages to discover the answers, reinforcing their knowledge and reading skills. Together, these features support comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and reading fluency—making the book a valuable resource for classrooms, libraries, and intervention programs.