HOW WERE MUMMIES MADE?
What comes to your mind when you think of mummies? Perhaps you imagine monsters in bandages.
However, for the ancient Egyptians, who believed in life after death, mummification was all about preparation for the afterlife, if you wanted to preserve the bodies of the dead. A mummy is the preserved body of a person or animal, resulting from the drying and embalming of flesh to prevent decay. This process was expensive and typically reserved for pharaohs and wealthy nobles. It took approximately 70 days to complete the mummification process.
First of all, the body was washed, and all its internal organs, except the heart, were removed from the body. These organs were then placed in special containers known as canopic jars.
Next, the body was covered in natural salt for about 50 days to dry it out. After that, the interior of the body was filled with linen, sawdust, and fragrant herbs.
At this point, the body was ready to be carefully wrapped in layers of linen bandages, similar to a giant gift wrap in order to provide protection. Amulets or small charms were placed within the wrapping for good luck and to assist in the journey into the afterlife.
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| Anubis: the God of funerary rites and guide to the underworld |
Once completed, a mask was placed over the face to adorn it. Then a priest wearing a mask of the God Anubis would recite prayers over the body. After that, the body was placed inside a wooden coffin, which was later placed in a luxurious sarcophagus (a coffin carved from limestone) to provide an additional layer of protection. Finally, the body was buried in a tomb and ready to begin the journey to the afterlife.
Thanks to this mummification process, many mummies remain in excellent condition, providing valuable insights into ancient Egyptian civilisation.
Now that you understand how mummies are made, there is no reason to fear them! Right?
