How mummies and funerals were made in ancient Egypt
For many, mummies evoke memories of ancient Egypt. Over thousands of years, many have been excavated, and these complex echoes from the past were dealt with in very different ways during that period.
Often seen more as artefacts and curios than human remains, they were ground into powder for medicinal mixtures for many centuries, sometimes burned haphazardly as fuel, and unpacked with fanfare at fashion parties in the Victorian era.
Today, mummies are more respected and provide great insight and a wealth of information about these ancient people, but their display and display remains a controversial topic.
The earliest known tombs in Egypt were simple pits dug out of desert sand. These contain the bodies of the deceased, usually curled up at their side in the fetal position, and often include items of everyday life such as pots, beads, tools, and other small items.
Early cemeteries were located on the edge of the desert near settlements, as early as 3000 BC, as early as the unification period (well as 3000 BC), and the desert west of the Nile was already considered the land of the dead.
Over time, the continued existence of the body on Earth is seen as necessary for a successful afterlife. The flesh corpse (or an image with an inscription, or even a person's written name) acts as a conduit to the earth, enabling the nourishment of the offerings and magical spells contained in the tomb or inscribed on its walls to flow to the dead in Hades.
Given the emphasis placed on the body, it's no surprise that the art of mummifying has developed to such an extraordinary degree. A large number of experiments have been carried out in Egypt's long history of mummification, some of which have been more successful than others.
Sadly, a step-by-step guide to mummification making has not yet been discovered. Some papyrus from the 3rd to 1st centuries BC recorded packaging instructions, amulet placement, and some incantations.
But the most detailed textual description of the process comes from the Greek historian Herodotus in the 5th century BC in the second volume of his History. He describes three different types of embalming, varying in expense, complexity, and quality of results.
In its complete incarnation, the high-quality mummification process takes about 70 days and includes:
removal of internal organs (liver, lung, intestine and stomach) through the left incision; These organs were mummified separately and placed in four canonot jars. The heart, considered the seat of wisdom, usually stays in the body.
The mysterious brain, a damp organ that causes decay (a curse for the mummification process), is removed from the nostrils using a long metal hook and discarded.
The bodies were washed with palm wine, dried and then covered with netjry (ancient Egyptian, meaning "sacred salt"). This powdered salt comes from an oasis called Wadi Natrun near the delta and dries the bodies over a period of up to 40 days.
Once dry, the body is uncovered, ritually cleansed, and then coated with sesame oil and a thick resin coating.
The body is then wrapped in multiple strips of linen – a process that can take more than two weeks. Between the layers, various amulets are placed in specific positions, hoping that they will help the deceased in their journey through the underworld. In royal tombs, these layers contained precious jewels and royal power; The complete Tutankhamun mummy includes more than 150 items wrapped in linen. After wrapping, the bandage is thoroughly soaked with liquefied resin.
To maintain the identity of the body, a mask can be worn on the mummy's head. In the later period, the portrait was painted on wooden panels and inserted into bandages. The mummy is then packed in a coffin, which is usually covered with amulet scenes and text that can identify the deceased and provide them with the magic spells they need to safely navigate through the dangerous netherworld.
After preparing the mummy, the family removed it from the preservative.
The mummy was placed in a prepared coffin and sent to the grave along with all the items destined to be with the deceased in the afterlife. Included in this grieving group will be friends and family, as well as priests who perform funeral rites and professional mourners (if the deceased is wealthy) crying and tearing clothes in pain.
The final stage before burial is a special ceremony performed by the heir and the priest in leopard skin.
This "opening" ritual is considered essential as it allows the deceased to fully participate in the afterlife. The ritual involves touching the organs associated with the senses – the eyes, ears, nose and mouth – with special utensils such as gong (a woodworking tool) and a double-forked knife called pesesh-kef.
It is worth noting that these tools are related to those used during childbirth,
Once all the necessary ceremonies have been completed, the funeral is held in front of the grave, usually with a mummy draped in a garland as a VIP. The mummy – along with its offerings and burial offerings – is then placed in the burial chamber and sealed.
This final action sets in motion the passage of the deceased into the underworld, providing spells, guides, protective amulets and tools in their tombs to help them through this perilous journey.
Their ultimate goal is to reach the idealized reeds (the Egyptian version of paradise) and enjoy eternity in that perfect place, sustained forever through their terrestrial connection with tomb reliefs, funerary offerings, and offerings that are continuously offered.
Although the living left the funeral and returned to their own lives, the dead were far from forgotten. Regular festive events include family visits to the tomb and sometimes memorial picnics in the area in front of the church and leaving gifts and offerings.
Once a deceased Egyptian is believed to have successfully crossed the perilous path of Hades and found his place in the reeds, their surviving relatives and descendants sometimes come to petition or ask for guidance.
Often referred to as "letters to the deceased," these written requests for otherworldly intervention in the affairs of the living were usually written on small clay bowls filled with food to attract the soul of the deceased to help achieve the desired result.
For the ancient Egyptians, the dead were never truly forgotten. Even by saying a person's name, a living person helps to guarantee that person's eternal existence in the afterlife.
References are shown in Figure 4:
