Have We Got Egyptian Mummies All Wrong?
The concept of mummification in Egypt has captivated our imaginations since the 19th century. Popularized at the same time Egyptomania and the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, Egypt and its mummies have featured prominently in books and movies ever since. While researching and learning more about these ancient people is a worthwhile endeavor, we may have gotten the details wrong. This article will delve into some fascinating facts regarding what is known—and not known—about the traditional practice of mummification in Egypt.
What Was the Purpose of Mummification?
At its core, the purpose of mummification in ancient Egypt was about much more than preserving a body for posterity. Centuries before the practice of embalming, it was believed that by obtaining a perfect preservation of the body, the spirit of the deceased would be able to transform into the afterlife. That transformation was one of the most powerful aspects of the funeral process and this practice was so central to their belief systems that bodies not worthy of mummification were simply burned and gone forever.
The Process of Embalming
The process of mummification was much more complex than what is often depicted in popular culture. In fact, the embalming process could take up to seventy days and involved many steps.
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The first step was to prepare a natron solution. Natron was a naturally occurring salt composed of sodium carbonate, which was available in abundance in the deserts of Egypt. The solution was mixed with a variety of herbs and tree resins to create a waxy paste.
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The next step was to remove the internal organs of the deceased. The organs were dried and protected with sawdust, resin, oil, and cloth and placed into four containers called canopic jars. These jars were placed in sealed pockets in the tomb as a representation of the four sons of Horus, who protected the deceased.
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After the organs were removed, the body was covered in the natron mixture, which served to both dry out the body and disinfect it.
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After the body was adequately dried, it was wrapped in strips of linen and the head and hands were covered with amulets. Amulets were placed on different parts of the body to protect it from evil forces in the afterlife.
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Once the body was completely wrapped, it was placed in a coffin and then placed in a formal burial chamber.
Additional Practices and Rituals
Mummification was not the only practice associated with burial rituals in Ancient Egypt. To ensure that the deceased had a successful transition to the afterlife, many additional rituals and objects were placed in the tomb.
• Votive figures: in the belief that the deceased would need servants in the afterlife, miniature figures were placed in the tomb to ensure the deceased would have people to help him/her transition to the afterlife.
• Funerary offerings: a variety of food items, such as grain, fruits, and meat were placed in the tomb for the deceased to eat in the afterlife.
• Stela: Stele, or stone tablets featuring engravings of prayers and hymns, were also placed in the tomb to serve as a guide to help the deceased transition to the afterlife successfully.
• Statues and paintings: most tombs featured a variety of statues and paintings of the gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt. These statues were thought to help protect the deceased in the afterlife.
The Deified Pharaohs
The most prominent mummies in Egypt were the Pharaohs. The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt were believed to be gods on earth, either directly or indirectly associated with the gods of the underworld and the afterlife.
Rather than being embalmed and placed in tombs like the common people, the Pharaohs were mummified and then placed in a royal tomb known as the sarcophagus. The Pharaohs were buried with a variety of gold and ornate jewels, elaborate statues, and stele in order to make sure that their transition to the afterlife was as perfect as possible.
In some cases, the Pharaohs were not just mummified, but their bodies were also transformed in a special process known as the Transfiguration of the Pharaoh. This process involved wrapping the mummified body in a cloth and then covering it in a paste made of gold dust and steatite to create an effigy. The effigy would then be placed in a special chamber in the tomb where it could serve as an anchor between the mortal world and the divine.
The practice of mummification in Ancient Egypt was a complex and elaborate affair. Every element of the embalming process was carefully planned in order to ensure that the deceased was able to transition smoothly to the afterlife. Despite their advanced knowledge and skills, we do not know everything about the ancient Egyptians and the mysteries of their culture. With every new discovery, we learn more about the history and practices of this immensely influential civilization.
