Herodotus described the ancient Egyptian mummification process in detail. The brain was removed through the nose with an iron hook, then the internal organs were taken out through an incision in the side of the body except for the heart. The cavities were then cleaned and filled with spices and perfumes before the body was covered in natron for 70 days to dehydrate it. The dried body was then wrapped tightly in linen bandages and placed in an ornate coffin for burial and the afterlife.

1. Ancient Egypt How were mummies made?

2. Herodotus (a famous ancient Greek historian) described mummification in this way: “ As much as possible of the brain is taken out through the nostrils with an iron hook. What the hook cannot reach is rinsed out with drugs. Next the side is cut open with a flint knife and the whole contents of the abdomen removed. The space is then thoroughly cleansed and washed out, first with palm wine and again with liquid containing spices. After that, the space in the body is filled with pure myrrh, cassia, and other perfumes except frankincense and sewn up again. Then the body is placed in natrum, covered entirely over, for seventy days - never longer. When this period is over, the body is washed and then wrapped from head to foot in linen cut into strips and smeared with gum, which is often used by the Egyptians instead of glue. The body is given back to the family, who have it put into a wooden case shaped like the human figure. The case is then sealed up and stored in a burial chamber, upright against the wall.”

3. Herodotus provides us with written evidence of the process of mummification. The British Museum contains objects and documents which help us to understand how this process was carried out. The Egyptians did not understand what the brain was for. They needed to take it out to preserve the body. The easiest way to do this was through the nose with a hooked probe. A small incision (cut) was made in the left side of the body to remove the internal organs . They left the heart inside the body. It would be needed during the journey to the afterlife where it was weighed against the feather of truth. They removed the other organs and dried them to preserve them.

4. The organs could be placed in Canopic jars to keep them safe. Which organ goes in each canopic jar? Look at the heads. Qebehsenuef the falcon-headed god looks after the intestines . Hapy the baboon-heade r the lungs.

5. Duamutef the jackal-headed god looks after the stomach. Imsety the human-headed god looks after the liver.

6. They washed the body with pleasant smelling liquids. They then covered it in natron (natural salt) for 40 days. This dehydrated (dried out) the body and stopped it rotting . This ensured the body was preserved. Once the body had dehydrated it was washed again using perfumes and oils.

7. The clean and dehydrated body was then carefully wrapped in linen sheets and strips . The body was wrapped very carefully to look like a human figure . This shape could be used in the afterlife if the person’s body itself did not survive very well. Amulets were placed in the mummy wrappings. These were like good luck charms and were used to protect the body.

8. The mummified body was placed in a coffin . This coffin could be shaped like a human. The coffin could be painted or embellished with other decoration such as gold.

9. The family then took the coffin to the tomb . Funeral ceremonies were performed and the tomb was sealed with the hope that the dead person would reach the afterlife.

10. Find out more about ancient Egyptian mummification Visit the main Museum website www.britishmuseum.org Use Explore to look at some of our mummies www.britishmuseum.org/explore/introduction.aspx Learn more about mummification www.ancientegypt.co.uk