Mummification was the ancient Egyptian process of preserving bodies through dehydration and wrapping in linen. It involved removing internal organs, drying the body with natron for 40 days, and wrapping it in over 100 yards of linen with amulets and prayers. Mummification was believed to allow the soul to use the body again in the afterlife. Only the wealthy could afford full mummification, while commoners received less extensive treatments. Mummies provide modern insights into ancient Egyptian life, health, and social hierarchies.

1. Egyptian
Mummification

2. Mummification
● Treating a dead body to preserve it
(embalming)
● Used in Ancient Egypt
● Involves drying out the body,
removing organs, and wrapping it
to ready the person for the afterlife
● Detail used in mummification
depended on how much was paid
● Pharaohs are among the best
preserved

3. Mummification
● Took up to 70 days to complete
○ Time spent mostly drying body in salt
● Performed by special priests
○ Knew the prayers and rituals to do
○ Also knew human anatomy
● Thought the body needed to be
preserved to be resurrected in the
next life

4. The Process
1. Removal of organs
a. The brain was removed first through the
nose
b. Removed the stomach, liver, lungs,
intestines (did not remove heart)
i. Placed in canopic jars depicting
Egyptian gods
ii. Later mummies, wrapped and
placed organs back in body

5. The Process
2. Dry out the body
a. Used Natron- a drying salt
b. Left it for 35-40 days
c. Washed off the body
d. Filled in sunken areas with
linen
e. Added fake eyes to make it
more lifelike

6. The Process
3. Wrap the mummy
a. Over 100 yards of linen
b. Placed amulets on the mummy
c. Wrote prayers on linen strips
d. Placed a mask of the face
between layers
e. Added layers of warm resin to
hold and seal the linen
wrapping

7. The Tomb
● During the mummification process,
others were readying the tomb.
● Put things the deceased would
need in the afterlife
○ Lists of food
○ Furniture
○ Statues
○ Items of value
○ Paintings and Religious art
● Thought there was a magic process
where these lists and images
became real in the afterlife and
could be used

8. The Tomb
● Priest performed various rituals at
the entrance to the tomb
○ Most important was called “Opening of
the Mouth”
○ Touched an amulet to different part of
the person’s body so that they use them
in the afterlife
■ Such as, touching it to the mouth
meant they could eat food and
speak
● Then placed the mummy in a coffin/
coffins depending on class and
sealed the tomb

9. Why mummification?
● They believed the body housed the
spirit or soul of a person
● If the body was destroyed, the soul
could be lost

10. Who was mummified?
● They mummified all pharaohs and
buried them in ornate tombs
● Members of nobility and officials
were also often treated similarly
● Sometimes common people, but it
was very expensive
● Animals that had religious
significance
○ Bulls, baboons, cats, birds, and
crocodiles, etc.

11. Mummies Today
● Help us understand the life of
Ancient Egyptians
● X-ray wrapped mummies to see:
○ Diseases they suffered from
○ Their medical treatment
○ Lifespan
○ Height
● Also can see relationships between
mummies based off of similarities in
their skulls. Helps to show royal
bloodlines clarify historical timelines

12. Questions
● Do you think that this process shows that the Ancient Egyptians were
preoccupied too much with death? Or was does this process show more their
appreciation for life?
● What do mummies show us about Ancient Egyptian life and culture?
● What did the items buried with the mummies show about Egyptian values?
● Why do you think mummification stopped?