Egyptian Burial Procedures

Doreen R. Williams

Humanities 101, 035016

Winter Quarter 2007

Strayer University

Instructor: Roberta Jones

CERTIFICATION OF AUTHORSHIP: I certify that I am the author of this paper and

that any assistance received in its presentation is acknowledged and disclosed in the
paper (at the end). I have also cited any sources from which I used data, ideas, or words,
either quoted directly or paraphrased. I also certify that this paper was prepared
specifically for this course and has not been used for another course (and will not be)
either in whole or substantial part.

TYPE NAME AND DATE HERE: _Doreen R. Williams____________

 When you consider the various cultures around the world the one thing that comes to

mind is the various degrees of differences each possess. Our history continuously proves

that the human species has created mind boggling techniques, some of which have yet to

be revealed. Today we will explore the Egyptian’s special method of handling the dead,

one of the many mysteries of Egyptian culture that is still being discovered today.

According to the Egyptian religion, which believed in immortality, the process of

keeping an individual’s body in tack once they’ve passed on was very important for the

Egyptians. It is said that the aspects of the soul would have a place to reside after death.

(Wikipedia, para 1). In addition tombs were used to enclose the mummified bodies and

because the process of mummification was so advanced it prevented the body’s from

decaying. Wikipedia states that mummification basics involved laying the body on a flat

board and cutting a slit in the abdomen. (Wikipedia, para 3). These procedures are

usually done by a priest wearing a Jackal mask to represent Anubis. Anubis was the god

of mummification. The carcass is thoroughly washed with palm wine. Then the removal

of the intestines, stomach, liver and lungs are then mummified separately and put into

canopic jars. The only thing that is left in tack is the heart because the Egyptian belief is

that the essence of a person resides there. Last but not least is the removal of the brain.

The process of removing the brain requires the insertion of a hooked rod through the nose

and the stirring of the brain until it is liquefied and then pouring the liquid out through the

nose. Lastly, the cranial cavity would be wiped with linen and sealed with hot resin

which is poured into the cavity of the skull. (Wikipedia) para 4. After the mummification

process had been completed, a priest would symbolically re-animate the mummy with an

“Opening of the mouth Ceremony”, in which spells, and a stone blade re-animate the
mummy’s arms and legs. The next and final step of the burial procedure is the creation of

the tomb.

The creation of the tomb provided a place where the body would lay and

miniature replicates of everything that is needed in the afterlife, which included food that

came from offerings, were placed inside the tomb. On the walls of the tomb would be

artwork which included scenes from daily life. (Baines, John and Malek, Jaromir pg 37).

To signify an individuals personality, there were identifying lettering etched into the

stone. You may sometimes see XAt which means that the mummy is thought to be ba

after death, or ka which means that the mummy has a dynamic impersonal life force, or

bA which means that the mummy’s “animation or manifestation” akin to the idea of soul.

This is usually depicted as a human-headed bird. (Baines, John and Malek, Jaromir pg

37). The coffin that the mummy is buried in usually has pictures and hieroglyphic

inscriptions painted on them. The paintings included a list the foods and necessities

needed for the afterlife along with a set of instructions called The book of the dead.

(Odyessy para 3).

Egyptian burial techniques are interesting indeed. The meticulous preparations to insure

the proper preservation into the afterlife is astounding. Our only peek into how life was

then is the glamorous tombs that were left behind, which included all the secrets and

instructions of the journey to the afterlife. I sometimes wish that I could just take a peek

into the world that these mummies voyaged to in their transportation to their afterlife.

With technology today it may be possible soon.

 References

Wikipedia. (2007). Egyptian burial rituals and protocol, para.2.

Baines, John and Malek, Jaromir. (1980). Atlas of Ancient Egypt, 36-37. New York:

Oxford.

Carlos, Micheal. C. (1997). Odyessy: Memorial Art Galley of the University of Rochester

and Dallas Musuem of Art.