It's thanks to It’s thanks to beautifully preserved Egyptian mummies, and artefacts found in the awe-inspiring pyramids of Egypt that we’ve been able to learn so much about the life and culture of that magnificent land.But, why were the deceased preserved, and how exactly, were they mummified?
Why Preserve The Deceased ?
Ancient Egyptians believed that not only the spirit, but also the physical body, was important for a successful journey through the afterlife. Consequently, great care was taken to preserve the body, and to surround it with everything the deceased would need in the Underworld. Of course, this was purely the privilege of Kings and Queens, and the wealthy – not your ordinary Egyptian man-in-the-street. But, it’s nice to know that the Ancient Egyptians did have tremendous respect for animals, with mummified pets also being discovered in burial chambers.
How To Make A Mummy ?
The mummification process took quite a long time – anything from two to six months. First of all, the internal organs would carefully be removed, with the exception of the heart. This was because the Ancient Egyptians believed the heart contained both spirit and senses, and would be needed on Judgement Day in the Underworld. Once removed, the other internal organs – the lungs, liver, stomach, and intestine – would be cleansed, then placed into special preserving containers called canopic jars.
These jars were often ornately decorated, with unusual lids in the shape of an animal head, the latter representing the god responsible for protecting that particular internal organ. These jars would be carefully placed in the burial chamber, along with the mummy.
The brain was also removed from the deceased and then, the important process of drying the body would begin. Without this, the body would decompose. Preserving salts called natron, found in the Nile Valley, were used as the drying agent. Once the drying procedure was completed, the salts were removed, and the dried body wrapped in yards and yards of linen and resin.
Very often, the mummified body was dressed in clothing, jewelry, and masks, and it would be surrounded by anything and everything deemed necessary for its afterlife.
Where To Find Mummies ?
Nowadays, the mummies are no longer in their tombs, but in museums worldwide.
Just go along to places such as the British Museum, the Vatican Museum, the Luxor Museum, the Louvre, or museums in Berlin and Chicago to view superb examples of fascinating Egyptian mummies.
