Mummies

Oldest Mummy 'Ginger' is believed to be the earliest known ancient Egyptian "mummified" body, being Late Predynastic and dating to approximately 3300 BC. The body, which lies in a fetal position and is nicknamed 'Ginger' because of its red hair, is not internationally renowned despite being older than other more famous mummies, such as those of Rameses II or Seti I.

Mummification – Step 1 Purification of the body Ceremonial washing on the west bank of the Nile

Mummification – Step 2 A priest dressed in the jackal head costume representing Annubis chants over the body before the rippers remove the internal organs The organs would be saved in canopic jars!

The Sons of Horus Baboon – Lungs Hapy Jackal – Stomach Duamutef Human – Liver Imsety Falcon – Intestines Qebehsenuef Heart: pickled and returned to the mummy

The Brain The Brain was removed with a knitting needle like hook inserted through the left nostril. It was pulled out and discarded since the Egyptians felt the center of life was the Heart.

Mummification tools: Brain hooks Oil jar Funnel (replica) Embalmer's knife (Royal Ontario Museum )

Step 3 – Packing and Salting After the removal of the internal organs, every drop of moisture was removed from the body. The chest cavity was packed and the body covered in natron a natural salt. Natron: Sodium carbonate and Sodium bicarbonate

For forty days of the 70 day mummification process efforts were made to make sure all water was out of the body to prevent molds, fungus, and bacteria from growing. After 40 days the body was ready for the final processing

Plumping and Painting – Step 5 The shriveled blackened corpse was plumped up like a pillow after a nights sleep. The body was than covered with resin and painted. Red ochre for Men Yellow ochre for Women

Wrapping – Step 6 After being plumped and painted, the mummy was wrapped in the sacred linens of Osiris just as Isis had done. As much as 3850 sq. feet of wrap was used.

Wrapping took 15+ Days! Beginning with the head the body was wrapped in layers. Each layer was covered with resins to seal it.

Portrait Mask – Step 7 A red shroud is placed over the head and painted on it is a portrait of the dead person. In the New Kingdom, finely detailed wax masks and beautiful sarcophaguses were used.

Amulets of the New Kingdom Gold sheathing might cover the toes as it did on King Tut. Jewelry and Sacred amulets would be added at this time. Teeth would reattached or added Name tags would be place on the mummy

Burial – Step 8 After the 70 Day preparation process, actual burial would take place. A procession with professional mourners, food, family and priests went to the tomb. In the final step, the priest dressed as Annubis opens the mummies mouth. This awakens the senses and allows the soul to return to the body.

Journey of the Soul The spirit of the person now journeyed through the underworld on its trip to judgment before Osiris.

Royal burial – Valley of the Kings Luxor, Egypt – Middle Kingdom.

Wooden sarcophaguses of the later New Kingdom and early Decline of Egypt.

Child’s mummy and sarcophagus.

Unwrapped head of a mummy. Note the layers of wrappings and the final RESINS that cover the layers of wrapping.

Mummies of the World Italy Iceman, (Otzi) 3300 BC