MummificationMummification

EgyptEgypt

General InformationGeneral Information

Earliest Egyptians Earliest Egyptians were buried in pits in were buried in pits in the desert.the desert.

The heat from the The heat from the sun and the salt in sun and the salt in the sand dehydrated the sand dehydrated the corpses.the corpses.

Bodies became Bodies became naturally naturally mummified. mummified.

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

Through centuries of experience, a Through centuries of experience, a process was developed in order to process was developed in order to preserve the dead in a more lifelike state.preserve the dead in a more lifelike state.

This process included embalming.This process included embalming.

What does embalming mean?What does embalming mean?

Chemically treating a body in order to Chemically treating a body in order to keep it lifelike.keep it lifelike.

The Egyptians used chemicals known as The Egyptians used chemicals known as Natron (desert salt) and oils to embalm Natron (desert salt) and oils to embalm their dead.their dead.

Process of Embalming in Process of Embalming in Ancient EgyptAncient Egypt

The body is taken to a tent in the desert The body is taken to a tent in the desert called an Ibu (place of purification).called an Ibu (place of purification).

The body is washed with palm wine and The body is washed with palm wine and rinsed with water from the Nile River.rinsed with water from the Nile River.

The left side of the abdomen is sliced The left side of the abdomen is sliced open and the internal organs are open and the internal organs are removed. (the organs decay the fastest)removed. (the organs decay the fastest)

The organs are packed in Natron in The organs are packed in Natron in order to dry them out.order to dry them out.

The heart is left inside because the The heart is left inside because the earliest Egyptians felt that it was earliest Egyptians felt that it was needed in the afterlife. They also felt needed in the afterlife. They also felt it was the center of intelligence and it was the center of intelligence and emotion.emotion.

A long hook was inserted into one of A long hook was inserted into one of the nostrils and pushed upwards into the nostrils and pushed upwards into the brain. The hook was then used to the brain. The hook was then used to crush the brain and pull out the pieces crush the brain and pull out the pieces through the nose.through the nose.

Now the body is packed Now the body is packed in Natron and dried.in Natron and dried.

All organs and fluids are All organs and fluids are saved in order to be saved in order to be buried with the bodies.buried with the bodies.

After 40 days in Natron, After 40 days in Natron, the body is washed with the body is washed with Nile water again.Nile water again.

Next, the skin is oiled in order to Next, the skin is oiled in order to retain it’s elasticity.retain it’s elasticity.

The body is filled with sawdust, The body is filled with sawdust, spices and flowers in order to retain spices and flowers in order to retain it’s shape and look lifelike.it’s shape and look lifelike.

The body is then oiled once more and The body is then oiled once more and finally wrapped in linen.finally wrapped in linen.

Canopic JarsCanopic Jars

The organs from The organs from the dead were the dead were placed into these 4 placed into these 4 jars.jars.

The lids of each of The lids of each of the jars the jars represented gods represented gods known as the “4 known as the “4 Sons of Horus”.Sons of Horus”.

ImsetyImsety

The human headed The human headed god.god.

Guarded the liver.Guarded the liver.

HapyHapy

The baboon-The baboon-headed god.headed god.

Guarded the lungs.Guarded the lungs.

DuamutefDuamutef

Jackal-headed godJackal-headed god Guarded the Guarded the

stomachstomach

QebehsenuefQebehsenuef

Falcon-headed godFalcon-headed god Guarded the Guarded the

intestines.intestines.

The WrappingThe Wrapping

Linen was used to wrap the mummy.Linen was used to wrap the mummy. Amulets were used to protect the Amulets were used to protect the

body in the underworld.body in the underworld. A priest cast spells to keep away the A priest cast spells to keep away the

evil spirits.evil spirits. Papyrus with spells from the Book of Papyrus with spells from the Book of

the Dead written on it was placed the Dead written on it was placed into the hands of the mummy.into the hands of the mummy.

Every layer of linen was coated in resin in order to Every layer of linen was coated in resin in order to keep the bandages together.keep the bandages together.

A cloth with the goddess Osiris painted onto it is A cloth with the goddess Osiris painted onto it is used to cover the body.used to cover the body.

The mummy is then bound with twine and placed The mummy is then bound with twine and placed inside 2 coffins.inside 2 coffins.

Finally a funeral is held and mourning begins.Finally a funeral is held and mourning begins.

Rituals were performed at the Rituals were performed at the funeral.funeral.

The coffin is placed into the The coffin is placed into the Sarcophagus in the tomb (final Sarcophagus in the tomb (final resting place of the body)resting place of the body)

It is at this point that the body begins It is at this point that the body begins it’s journey through the Underworld.it’s journey through the Underworld.

The heart is then judged and if the The heart is then judged and if the heart is deemed pure, then the body heart is deemed pure, then the body will spend eternity in the beautiful will spend eternity in the beautiful “Field of Reeds”(Their equivalent of “Field of Reeds”(Their equivalent of heaven).heaven).