The Mummification Process By: Mitchell Mazza

Step 1 Cut a slit into the left side of the body. Priests were reluctant to making the initial incision. This was because it was considered sinful to cut the skin of another person.

Step 2 Removed the organs (liver, the lungs, the intestines, and the stomach). In the Old Kingdom, they left the heart in. In other times they took it out, preserved it in natron, and put it back in the body.

Step 2 (continued) Brain was removed in a more grisly manner. Stuck a hook through the nostrils and into the cranium (skull). Ripped it to pieces. After that they shook the head vigorously until the brain was liquified.

Step 3 Body was stuffed and covered with natron. The organs were covered in natron. Natron pulled the liquids out of the body and organs. Natron- a mineral close to salt found near wadis.

Step 4 Body was removed from the natron after thirty to forty days. Natron shrunk the body considering the fact that people are made of seventy-five percent water Body was washed in nile water, sanitized with wine, and brushed with nice smelling spices and oils.

Step 5 To give the body shape, it was stuffed with linen cloths and sawdust. The incision that was cut to take out the organs was covered and sealed with resin. The arms were crossed and toenails and fingernails were covered with caps of gold.

Step 6 Next the body was wrapped with great carefulness in long strips of linen cloth. There were many layers added. The goal was to make them look lifelike. Amulets were placed in between the layers of linen. Shawabati- answerer. A mummy shaped amulet.

Step 7 A portrait mask covered the head of the mummy. A shroud was placed over top of the mummy (including the portrait mask). The mummy was placed in multiple coffins and after a sarcophagus.

Additional Information Priests threw rocks at the one who made the first incision Canopic Jars-organs were place in these jars. Tops represented the Four Sons of Horus. Qebsenuef (a falcon) guarded the intestines, Hapi (a baboon) guarded the lungs, Duamutef (a jackal) Pharaohs might have up to eighty layers of linen on their mummy.

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Citations Conway, John R. , III. "Human body." World Book Advanced. World Book, 2013. Web. 1 Nov. 2013. Tanaka, Shelley. Secrets of the Mummies. Toronto, Ontario: The Madison Press Limited, 1999. Print.