The Ancient Egyptians preserved their loved ones' dead bodies in as life-like a manner as possible to ensure them success and good health in the afterlife. They removed all the internal organs and used a series of processes to remove moisture from the body, leaving only a dried form (the mummy) that would resist decay. The secret ritualistic process was performed by priests, using a combination of various herbs, plants and concoctions that Egyptians gathered from various far-off places.
Brief History of Mummification
Originally mummification was a natural process whereby the gutted body of the deceased was wrapped in animal skins or fiber matting and buried in or left out on the hot dry sands of the Egyptian desert.
Over time mummification became ritualized. Usually only high status Ancient Egyptians could afford to be ritually mummified and entombed in sarcophagi or pyramids. The rest of the population were buried in the desert where they would be climatically mummified.
Ancient Egyptian Mummification Merchandise
Amazon.com: Ancient Egyptian Mummification Books
Barnes & Noble.com: Ancient Egyptian Mummification Books
Metropolitan Museum of Art: Inflatable Mummy
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References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
The process of mummification took approximately 70 days to complete
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Fact:
Ritualistic mummification began around 2600 B.C. and continued for over 2,000 years
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Fact:
Best preserved specimens were mummified around 1570-1075 B.C.
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Fact:
All organs were removed except for the heart, which was where they believed the spiritual essence resided
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Fact:
Many mummies were destroyed by tomb raiders
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Fact:
Modern scientists use X-rays to study recovered mummies without causing damage
