Mummification

Why Mummification? Egyptian religion required the body to be intact for the person to achieve immortality. Ancient Egyptians devoted their entire life to the afterlife. There was no heaven or hell. You were either immortal or no longer existed People were mummified to preserve their bodies and ensure their happiness in the afterlife.

BA & KA Egyptians believe each person had a ba (personality) and ka (spirit) The ka traveled back and forth between the afterlife and the tomb. They would leave food and drink in the tomb for the ka. They would leave food and drink in the tomb for the ka.

MUMMIFICATION PROCESS Priests prepared the body. It was a long complicated and expensive process. It took about 70 days to complete.

Removal of the brain Embalmers removed the inner organs first, because they found that they rotted first. The brain was removed through the nose The brain was thrown away, because they believed that all thinking was done in the heart.

The brain

Embalmers then removed liver, lungs, stomach and intestines through a slit in the side. Each organ was put in a canopic jar container filled with natron (salt) The heart was left in its place because that is where they believed the soul of a person lived

CANOPIC JARS Hapy Imsety Each organ was then placed into a canopic jar (covered urn) Each organ protected by a separate god. CANOPIC JARS it acts as a filter to remove toxins (harmful substances) and waste products from the blood Canopic-Covered urn Quebehsenuf Hapy Imsety Duamutif

DRYING OF THE BODY Small bundles of natron (salt) were stuffed into the body for 40 days. The outside was covered with natron. The body was slanted and the fluids poured into a jar. 99% of all the body’s moisture was removed.

Cleaning the body After 40 days the body was cleaned and brushed with oils, resins, and spices. Head and body stuffed with resin-soaked linens Arms were crossed Cut covered with Eye of Horus Resin-sticky substance. usually comes from trees like sap from tree.

mummy wrap Bound with long, narrow linen strips Fingers, toes, arms, and legs wrapped individually Layers glued with resin.

Magical amulets were tucked into the wrappings

Mask The head was covered with a portrait mask Helped the ba and ka recognize the body The whole mummy was covered with a final coat of resin.

burial processes Three separate coffins were made and nested All three coffins placed into a sarcophagus. A sarcophagus is made to house coffins.

The tomb Bodies were buried with their earthly riches. Ex. Pets, slaves, chariots, and food. Anything that would make life more comfortable for them in the afterlife.

The Funeral The funeral processions was long A priest conducts the “Opening of the Mouth” ceremony This ceremony allows the mummy to speak and eat again in the afterlife.

FINAL RESTING PLACE The pharaoh’s sarcophagus and tomb was located inside of his very own pyramid. Each pharaoh had their own pyramid. Construction of pyramids began as soon as a new pharaoh took over Egypt.