Mummification Egypt

General Information Earliest Egyptians were buried in pits in the desert. The heat from the sun and the salt in the sand dehydrated the corpses. Bodies became naturally mummified.

Coffins were then invented, but for some reason, when inside of coffins, bodies would decay.

Through centuries of experience, a process was developed in order to preserve the dead in a more lifelike state. This process included embalming. What does embalming mean? Chemically treating a body in order to keep it lifelike. The Egyptians used chemicals known as Natron (desert salt) and oils to embalm their dead.

Process of Embalming in Ancient Egypt The body is taken to a tent in the desert called an Ibu (place of purification). The body is washed with palm wine and rinsed with water from the Nile River. The left side of the abdomen is sliced open and the internal organs are removed. (the organs decay the fastest)

The organs are packed in Natron in order to dry them out. The heart is left inside because the earliest Egyptians felt that it was needed in the afterlife. They also felt it was the center of intelligence and emotion. A long hook was inserted into one of the nostrils and pushed upwards into the brain. The hook was then used to crush the brain and pull out the pieces through the nose.

Now the body is packed in Natron and dried. All organs and fluids are saved in order to be buried with the bodies. After 40 days in Natron, the body is washed with Nile water again.

Next, the skin is oiled in order to retain it’s elasticity. The body is filled with sawdust, spices and flowers in order to retain it’s shape and look lifelike. The body is then oiled once more and finally wrapped in linen.

Canopic Jars The organs from the dead were placed into these 4 jars. The lids of each of the jars represented gods known as the “4 Sons of Horus”.

Imsety The human headed god. Guarded the liver.

Hapy The baboon-headed god. Guarded the lungs.

Duamutef Jackal-headed god Guarded the stomach

Qebehsenuef Falcon-headed god Guarded the intestines.

The Wrapping Linen was used to wrap the mummy. Amulets were used to protect the body in the underworld. A priest cast spells to keep away the evil spirits. Papyrus with spells from the Book of the Dead written on it was placed into the hands of the mummy.

Every layer of linen was coated in resin in order to keep the bandages together. A cloth with the goddess Osiris painted onto it is used to cover the body. The mummy is then bound with twine and placed inside 2 coffins. Finally a funeral is held and mourning begins.

Rituals were performed at the funeral. The coffin is placed into the Sarcophagus in the tomb (final resting place of the body) It is at this point that the body begins it’s journey through the Underworld. The heart is then judged and if the heart is deemed pure, then the body will spend eternity in the beautiful “Field of Reeds”(Their equivalent of heaven).