The historical place of Ancient Egypt contains mummies with many secrets and treasures. The ancient tombs of mummies are important pieces of history that still live today. These mummies are interesting parts of history because of the steps it took to mummify a person, the way the tomb was prepared for the afterlife, and why the Egyptians mummified people. One of the biggest parts to mummification was the steps it took to mummify a person. There were many complex steps in the mummification process. One of the first steps of the mummification process was to cut a long line into the left side of the torso with a knife.
This was done to remove the liver and lungs. The next step the Egyptians took to prepare a body for the afterlife was to remove the brain. The Egyptians used a long hook to take the brain out through the nose. All of the other organs besides the heart were also removed during this step in the process. All of the removed organs were then dried out and stored in canopic jars. The only part in the body left untouched was the heart. It was needed in the afterlife so it could be weighed in the Hall of Truth.
This is where they weighed the mummies’ heart against their sins to see if they would be accepted into the eternal afterlife in the underworld. Next, the eyes were removed and the sockets were stuffed with linen pads. The eyelids were then closed over the linen pads. The mummification process took 70 days to complete, and 40 of those days were used to dry out the mummies’ skin. After those 40 days were up, the mummy was stuffed with mud, rags, dry leaves, and sawdust. The mummifiers used faux hair to make the mummy look more lifelike again. The Egyptians then rubbed down the body with oils to make the mummy soft after it was dried.
The body was soon covered with crystal natron, which dried the body out and kept it from decaying. Finally, the body was wrapped in linen. It usually took about 20 layers of the cloth to fully wrap a body. Since the Egyptians had to collect cloth for their own bodies, a smart Egyptian would have collected the cloth for their entire lives. The last part of the mummification process before the mummified Egyptian was buried was to bless the mummy before it went to the afterlife. Spells were painted on the coffin to make the mummification a success. Mummification is an intricate process.
Another intriguing part of the mummification process is how the tomb was prepared. Spells to prevent dangers in the afterlife were engraved on the outside walls of tombs. There were also many treasures that the Egyptians were buried with. Although richer Egyptians had many layers to their tombs that were lavishly decorated, the wealthier residents were still buried with the same essential treasures the mummies would need for the afterlife. In the tomb, the priests and workers meticulously placed carved statues of the dead Egyptian and their servants.
These statues would help the spirit in its journey with its descent into the underworld. Bodies were also buried with a map of the underworld to guide them along their trip. Along with these treasures were simple everyday items that the dead would need in the afterlife such as food, clothing, jewelry, furniture, weapons and tools that were essential to the mummies’ life. On the insides of tombs were decorations of gods in the underworld, colorful hieroglyphics, and spells that would enchant the mummy to help them reach the Kingdom of Osiris.
The paintings on the insides of Egyptian tombs were magic, therefore they could supply the needs of the spirit throughout eternity. Even after the cherished Egyptian dies, the family still brings gifts and food so the mummy doesn’t starve. As long as people still speak the mummies’ name and remember them, they will enjoy everlasting life in the underworld. The way that Egyptians prepared the tomb was a significant part of the mummification process. A third reason why the mummification process is so fascinating is because of why the Egyptians mummified our ancient ancestors.
Ancient Egyptians mummified their dead to make sure that the body was prepared for the afterlife. At first, the ancient peoples were only buried to protect them from the wild animals in Egypt, but all of the bodies ended up decaying. Egyptians soon realised that they had to preserve the body by embalming it and wrapping the bodies in linen. One of the reasons for this was to make the mummy more life like. Another more crucial reason to mummify the dead however, was because the abandoned body of a person was made into a home for the mummies’ soul in the afterlife.
The most important reason to mummify the body though, was because the body would not be allowed or accepted into the afterlife until the body had been properly mummified and buried. The spirit could only live if the body was eternally preserved. Since the ba,the personality, and the ka, the life form, can only recognise the body they return to if it has been preserved by mummification. The soul leaves the body when it dies but it returns after the body is mummified and buried.
The body was also used as a bridge between the spirits of the dead and the offerings made by the living, so the body form has to be known. Also, to prepare for the afterlife, the mummy and their spiritual self had to go to the Underworld. Their bodies pass through the Hall Of Truth to go to the Underworld. Ancient Egyptians mummified the body for many important reasons. Mummies are marvelous and influential pieces of history. The steps it took to make a mummy, the way the tomb was prepared for the afterlife, and the reasons why mummies were made are all