Egyptian Mummification
Definition of Mummification
The Ancient Egyptians believed that
elements of the soul were perishable and therefore at great risk. The
tomb, the process of mummification, rituals and magic spells promoted
the well-being, and ensured the preservation of the dead and their Ka,
Ba and Ahku.
But what exactly was mummification? Mummification Definition:
Mummification was the process of preserving and embalming a dead body in
the belief that the body would be necessary in the Ancient Egyptian
afterlife. Using a special process the Ancient Egyptians removed all
moisture from the body, leaving only a dried form that would not easily
decay. The process of Mummification requires inhibiting microbial growth
and dehydration. The process of creating a mummy was complicated and
costly and was surrounded with ceremony and ritual.
The History of Mummification
The tradition and history of Mummification
started with the myths and legends of the Ancient Egyptian gods. In the
mythical history Osiris was murdered by his younger, jealous brother
Seth but brought back to life (resurrected) by Isis for just one day,
when their son Horus, was conceived. The body of Osiris was embalmed by
Anubis who therefore made Osiris the first mummy. The Egyptian method of
preparing the body varied over time and also with the social status of
the deceased. At first only the pharaohs were mummified but this was
later extended to other Egyptians who were wealthy enough to pay for the
process. Eventually even the peasants were mummified.
The Purpose of
Mummification
The Ancient Egyptians believed that
every person was thought to have three souls - the Ka, the Ba and the Akh.
-
The Ka was a less solid duplicate of the body. Without a
physical body the soul had no place to dwell and became
restless forever
-
The Ba was able
to leave the tomb and revisit the dead person's haunts in
the mortal world.
-
The Akh was the
immortal soul which emerged when the Ka and the Ba united
after the deceased person passed judgement in the Egyptian Mummification
The entities
of the Ka, Ba and Ahk, or elements of the soul, were
believed to be perishable and
therefore at great risk. The tomb, the process of
mummification, rituals and magic spells promoted the
well-being, and ensured the preservation, of the dead
and their Ka, Ba and Ahk. The purpose of mummification
was therefore conducted to keep the soul alive and
ensure a clear path to the Afterlife.
Egyptian Mummification
Process - The Egyptian Embalmers
Who were the Embalmers in Ancient Egypt? Where did the embalmers work?
The embalmers worked on the west bank of the Nile away from the
residential areas. The process of mummification was both a religious and
technical process and therefore practised by the priests who were
trained in both the mummification process and the religious rituals that
were associated with it. There were different types of priest embalmers
who worked in an embalming hall and workshop called a “Wabet” meaning a
clean place. The names and the roles of the ancient Egyptian Embalmers
who worked in the Wabet were as follows:
-
The Hery Sesheta
(the priest who wore the Anubis mask) - The Hery Sesheta was
in charge of the embalming and mummification process. The
name Hery Sesheta meant 'Overseer of the Mysteries'. This
was the priest who wore the mask of the god Anubis in the
mummification and burial rituals. Wearing the mask
symbolised Anubis watching and guiding the priests in the
mummification process. The Hery Sesha made the incision for
removal of the internal organs
-
The Hetemw
Netjer - The Hetemw Netjer was the priest who assisted the
Hery Sesheta with the death rituals (the Anubis jackal mask
worn by the Hery Sesheta severely impaired his line of
vision). The title Hetemw Netjer meant seal bearer of the
god Osiris
-
The Hery Heb -
The Hery Heb was the lector priest who was present during
the mummification process to read spells and prayers which
related to the rituals and mummification process
-
The Wetyw - The
Wetyw were the most junior and undertook roles such as
removing the organs and bandaging the mummy during the
mummification process
The Egyptian embalmers were
very secretive about the art and process of mummification and left no
documents or accounts which related to their mysteries and rituals. Wall
hieroglyphs and spells provide an insight into mummification, as do
artefacts such as embalmers tools and the embalmers table. The writings
of the Greek Herodotus have provided a significant amount of information
on the process. Modern knowledge of the process has been obtained from
the study of mummies.
Egyptian Mummification
Process
The Egyptian Mummification process and techniques differed according to
the roles and the wealth of the people they were embalming. The
wealthier the deceased, the more elaborate the process. The Egyptian
mummification process therefore fell into three different categories:
-
The Pharaoh,
Royalty and Nobility
-
The Middle
Classes - scribes, army officers, doctors etc
-
The peasant
Egyptians
Egyptian Mummification
Process - The 70 Day Rule
The mummification process lasted for a period of 70 days. The 70 day
period corresponded to the length of time during which Sirius, the 'Dog
Star', appeared to die by dipping below the horizon. The 70 day rule
applied to all classes of Egyptians - rich or poor. The 70 day
mummification process for wealthy Egyptians was divided into the
following activities:
The Steps of the Egyptian Mummification
Process
The embalmers used a range of tools during the mummification process
(some of which were left inside the mummy). The embalmers tools included
bronze hooks, knives, tweezers, needles and awls (a small point tool
used for making holes) for opening, emptying and closing up the body.
The step in the mummification process which included the removal of
organs were conducted on a special slightly slanted table which allowed
the blood and bodily fluids to drain into a built in basin. The
different steps of the mummification process were accompanied by rituals
and were as follows:
-
Step 1 - When an
Egyptian died the family went into mourning and the body was
taken to the embalmers and a price was agreed for
undertaking the process
-
Step 2 - The
body was taken for ritual washing. It was washed with palm
wine to kill bacteria and rinsed with water from the Nile.
The corpse was then transferred to the 'Place of
Purification', the embalming hall called the Wabet
-
Step 3 - Removal
of the brain. A hook was inserted into the nostrils and
through the nose which punctured the brain. The body was
turned on its side and the brain fluid drained out of the
corpse
-
Step 4 - Resin
such as pistacia tree resin and balsam sap was poured into
the brain which then solidified to prevent the skull
from collapsing
-
Step 5 -
Incisions were made into the body and the stomach, liver,
lungs and intestines were removed
-
Step 6 - The
organs were stored in special alabaster containers called
canopic jars - which would be buried with the mummy. The
canopic jars were filled with crystals of natron ( natron is
a compound of sodium carbonate and bicarbonate which stopped
rotting) The heart was left in the body as the Ancient
Egyptians believed the heart would be needed on the Day of
Judgement
-
Step 7 - The
body and the cavity in the abdomen were packed with small
sacks of natron
-
Step 8 - The
body moisture was absorbed by the natron
-
Step 9 - The
small sacks of natron were removed from the body
-
Step 10 - The
corpse was washed with water
-
Step 11 - The
body was then anointed with oils, incense, scents, spices,
herbs and resins
-
Step 12 - The
body cavity was then packed with linen or straw soaked
with the same oils, scents, spices, herbs and resins
-
Step 13 - The
cavities were then sewn together
-
Step 14 - The
body was then covered with layers with linen shrouds coated
with resin. Linen bandages were used to bind the extremities
-
Step 15 - The
process of mummification was completed
The History of
Animal Mummification
The History of Mummification extended even
further to include animal mummification. Ancient Egyptians also
practised animal-worship and over time sacred animals were also embalmed
after death, and their bodies were interred in sacred cemeteries. Animal
mummification was practised on the following animals which all had cult
followings:
Cats
Dogs and Jackals
Rams, Cows and Bulls
Crocodiles
Baboons
Hawks and Falcons
The Process of
Animal Mummification
The process of animal mummification was
extended to many different animals in Ancient Egypt. The process of
animal mummification
included:
-
Removal of the
Organs of animals, except the heart
-
The body of the
animal was
dried out using Natron salt and packed with sand
-
The Greek
historian, Diodorus recorded that "Cedar oil and such spices
as have the quality of imparting a pleasant odour and of
preserving the body for a long time, they lay it away in a
consecrated tomb."
-
The bodies of
the animals were placed in appropriate positions for
example, cats were mummified in a sitting position with with the
forelegs lying down the front and the hind legs drawn up
beside the pelvis
-
The bodies of
the animals were elaborately wrapped in linen
-
Facial details
or decorations were painted on the wrappings of the animal
mummy as it was
important that the mummy's head should resemble the living
animal
Egyptian Mummification
Each section of this Egyptian website addresses all topics and
provides interesting facts and information about the Golden Age of
Egypt. The Sitemap provides full details
of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject of Egypt, the Ancient Egyptians and of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun, King Tut.
|
