Mummy Mania

Unwrapping the past

What happened when you died?

There were two things that happened to a body after someone died. First the body was embalmed. Secondly the body was wrapped.

Embalming
Firstly the body was taken to a place of purification or Ibu. There it was washed in Palm Wine and rinsed with water.

Embalming
Secondly all the internal organs were removed expect for the heart which was the persons centre of intelligence and would be needed in the afterlife. The organs were washed and packed in Natron which would dry them out. The brain was pulled through the nose with a hook

Embalming
Thirdly the body is covered and stuffed with Natron (a mineral) which dries the body out.

Embalming
The body is then left for 40 days to dry out. After 40 days the body is washed again with water then covered in oils to preserve the skin.

Embalming
Next the dried out organs are wrapped in linen and returned to the body. The body is again smothered in oils and is stuffed with dry materials such as sawdust and leaves.

Embalming
Originally the organs were kept in Canopic or protective jars which were guarded by the Gods.
Imsety the Human headed God looked after the liver. - Hapy the baboon headed God looked after the lungs

Embalming
- Duamutef the Jackal headed God looked
looked after the stomach.

- Qebehsenuef the Falcon headed God looked after the intestines.

Wrapping
The body is now ready to wrap. It is wrapped in fine linen. As the body is wrapped small amulets are wrapped with the body to protect it in the afterlife.

Amulets
This is the Isis knot amulet which protects the body

This is the Plummet amulet which will keep the person in balance in the afterlife.

Wrapping
A priest would read spells over the body while it was being wrapped. This would warn off evil sprits in the afterlife.

Wrapping
The arms and legs were bound and a scroll with spells from The book of the dead was placed between the hands.

Wrapping
The linen bandages are wrapped repetitively and stuck together with a liquid resin. A picture of the God Osiris is painted on the final layer of linen.

Wrapping
A large cloth is then wrapped around the entire mummy. A piece of wood is then placed on top of the mummy before the mummy is put in the first coffin. The mummy is put inside two coffins with inscriptions to the Gods.

Funeral
The family then holds a Funeral for the dead loved one. The family mourns.

After the Funeral

After the Funeral, a ceremony is performed called the Opening of the Mouth. This allows the dead to eat and drink in the afterlife. After this ceremony the dead one is ready for their journey in the afterlife.

Animal Mummies
When a rich Egyptian died they would often have their pets mummified and buried with them.

Giving certain animals (or deities) a proper burial was seen as a tribute to certain Gods. For example mummifying and burying an Ibis was seen as a tribute to the God Thoth.

Questions
How did the Egyptians attempt to preserve the body and stop the flesh from decaying? How important was the afterlife to Egyptians? How do you know this? In your own words describe the process for preparing a body for the grave.

References
The British Museum http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/mummies/ho me.html Echoes of Egypt. Yale Peabody Museumhttp://echoesofegypt.peabody.yale.edu/mum my-mania