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Ancient Egyptian mummification

Mummification was an important aspect in ancient Egyptian life in respect to religious and cultural influence. They have strong belief in the afterlife journey as their soul will reunite with their preserved mummy. Their mummification process showed their advancement and skills in the medication field as the oldest mummy is Hekashepes which  is about 4,300 years old. There were millions of ancient Egyptian mummies discovered.  Let’s read about the mummification process.

 Ancient Egyptian Mummification Process Step By Step:

The process of mummification evolved from the natural preservation in the predynastic era to the advanced embalming techniques during the new kingdom. Here are 7 steps includes in an ancient Egyptian mummification process:

Step 1: Washed with Nile Water

 Body was washed with Nile water to make it cleansed physically and spiritually. 

Step 2: Removal of organs

 The internal organs were removed by giving a small cut on the side of the belly. The stomach, lung, intestine and liver were placed in the canopic jars for preservation. Hear as well removed sometime and again placed with a heart scarab amulet. 

Step 3: Brain Extraction

 The brain was extracted through a hook tool entering by nose as this is important because the brain itself is not preserved. And discarded later.

Step 4: Desiccation: 

The body was desiccated with natron ( mixture of natural salt ) for dehydration and preservation. This process takes 70 days to absorb the water from the body.

Step 5: Cleaning & Stuffing

The body again cleaned and the cavity filled with different stuff like linen, sawdust, or resin-soaked materials for body shape restoration. 

Step 6: Body Wrapping

The body is then wrapped with linen strips or bandages and use of gum to ensure the strips are pasted.

Step 7: Final Touch

The use of a gold plated mask placed which shows the spiritual identification of soul

 At the end mummy was placed inside the decorated coffins or sarcophagus and then sealed. The sarcophagus was placed in a tomb with a lot of jewelry, personal goods and food which helped for the afterlife. Tomb is also decorated with different ancient designs and quotes from ancient books like the Book of dead. 

Mummification Process facts:

Here are some facts about the mummification process:

• In the mummification process the brain is not considered important for the afterlife and discarded by removal by using the iron hook entering from the nose. 
• Mummies preserved as naturally in the earliest time by using the hot and dry sand from the desert. The advanced techniques are developed over centuries.
• There was a belief that the Canopic jars are protected by one of the sons of the Hours. These jars are those in which organs of pharaohs are stored. These jars were also buried inside the tomb.
• Heart was important and did not remove sometimes as it was considered as a place for soul.
• The preservation process using the natron takes 70 days. 
• Animal mummification like cats, ibises and crocodiles also happened in ancient times as for the offerings to gods. There are millions of animal mummies discovered.

Who was mummified in ancient times?

In an ancient time 3000 years ago the Pharaohs of Egypt, royal members, official members, society elites are mummified. As well their pets are mummified and buried with owners at that time. Although the pharaohs are buried in their own tombs with a lot of treasure that they have for the afterlife. Other officials are sometimes buried in their own tomb and sometime in the common tomb according to their resources or ranks.

 Where were the mummies found ?

Ancient Egyptian mummies are found from different locations in Egypt as there are a lot of tombs discovered in the valley of kings and discoveries are still continuing. In pyramids there were also the royal mummies found. There are many locations like Saqqara, Thebes, Deir el-Bahari and many more from the ancient mummies discovered in tombs in valley of kings.

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 Conclusion

Mummification process gives us a window into the past and what their beliefs are related to the afterlife for which they preserved bodies. Also, their medication skills and advancement in the medication field. These mummies also allow us to understand the cultures of ancient people as well.