Life in Ancient Egypt: Mummification

The term mummification refers to two distinct processes which are embalming and wrapping. The ancient Egyptian tradition dates back to about 3300 B.C. when the earliest human nicknamed “Ginger” was mummified. Unlike other countries, the main focus in Egyptian culture was the afterlife and only important people were preserved such as the Pharaoh, Queen and king.

Stages of Mummification

There are 2 stages that a body goes through before it is completely preserved.

One of which is embalming where the body is taken to a tent known as an ibu, rinsed, cleaned and usually drizzled in pine wine for fragrance. The internal organs are then removed except for the heart which is the center of feeling and intelligence for man in the afterlife. The body is then stuffed with natron, dried out and washed once more and lastly coated with another dose of pine wine for scent. The wrapping procedure involves covering the body with fine linen the preparing for burial.

Stage 1: Embalming

Stage 2: Wrapping

History, Background & Culture

The process of mummification and embalming was practiced by the ancient Egyptians and changed over time from the Old Kingdom when it was only available to kings, pharaohs and other people of great wealth and importance to the New Kingdom when it was available to everyone. The level of mummification depended on what one could afford. Ancient Egyptians believed in life after death in the earliest pre-historic days in the way they buried loved ones. During pre-historic traditional burials people placed everyday objects in the grave and placed the dead in a fetal position facing the sun. The early Egyptians wrapped the dead bodies in goat hide and buried them in a shallow pit of desert sand to show respect for them. An important factor of the Ancient Egyptian culture was the afterlife and the tomb was referred to as an eternal dwelling place for the dead. Large tombs for the wealthy were left out in the open lined with sun-dried mud brick and a plank roof for comfortable protection for the deceased.