Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Herodotus provides us with written evidence of the process of mummification. The British Museum contains objects and documents which help us to understand how this process was carried out.
The Egyptians did not understand what the brain was for. They needed to take it out to preserve the body. The easiest way to do this was through the nose with a hooked probe. A small incision (cut) was made in the left side of the body to remove the internal organs. They left the heart inside the body. It would be needed during the journey to the afterlife where it was weighed against the feather of truth.
They removed the other organs and dried them to preserve them.
The organs could be placed in Canopic jars to keep them safe. Qebehsenuef the falcon-headed god looks after the intestines.
They then covered it in natron (natural salt) for 40 days. This dehydrated (dried out) the body and stopped it rotting. This ensured the body was preserved.
Once the body had dehydrated it was washed again using perfumes and oils.
The clean and dehydrated body was then carefully wrapped in linen sheets and strips.
The body was wrapped very carefully to look like a human figure. This shape could be used in the afterlife if the persons body itself did not survive very well.
Amulets were placed in the mummy wrappings. These were like good luck charms and were used to protect the body.
The mummified body was placed in a coffin. This coffin could be shaped like a human.
The coffin could be painted or embellished with other decoration such as gold.
The family then took the coffin to the tomb. Funeral ceremonies were performed and the tomb was sealed with the hope that the dead person would reach the afterlife.