Embalming Process
The Embalming Process
used by the Ancient Egyptians
The Ancient Egyptians believed that
elements of the soul were perishable and that the embalming process of
mummification, rituals and magic spells promoted the well-being, and
ensured the preservation of the dead bodies and their souls.
Egyptian 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 embalming process the embalmers removed all
moisture from the body, leaving only a dried form that would not easily
decay. The process of embalming and Mummification required that microbial growth
and dehydration was inhibited. The embalming process and creating a mummy was complicated and
costly and was surrounded with ceremony and ritual. The whole embalming
process and religious observances were conducted by embalmer priests.
The Embalming
Process
The embalmers used a range of tools during the mummification process
(some of which were left inside the mummies). 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 corpse.
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 Embalming Processes were accompanied by rituals
and were as follows:
-
Embalming
Process 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 procedure
-
Embalming
Process 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
-
Embalming
Process 3 - Removal
of the brain. A hook was inserted into the nostrils and
through the nose which punctured the brain. The corpse was
turned on its side and the brain fluid drained out of the
corpse
-
Embalming
Process 4 - Resin
such as pistacia tree resin and balsam sap was poured into
the brain which then solidified to prevent the skull
from collapsing. Any fluid drained from the brain was
discarded
-
Embalming
Process 5 -
Incisions were made into the body and the stomach, liver,
lungs and intestines were removed
-
Embalming
Process 6 - The
organs were stored in special 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
-
Embalming
Process 7 - The
body and the cavity in the abdomen were packed with small
sacks of natron
-
Embalming
Process 8 - The
body moisture was absorbed by the natron
-
Embalming
Process 9 - The
small sacks of natron were removed from the body
-
Embalming
Process 10 - The
corpse was washed with water
-
Embalming
Process 11 - The
body was then anointed with oils, incense, scents, spices,
herbs and resins
-
Embalming
Process 12 - The
body cavity was then packed with linen or straw soaked
with the same oils, scents, spices, herbs and resins
-
Procedure 13 - The
cavities were then sewn together
-
Embalming
Process 14 - The
body was then covered with layers with linen shrouds coated
with resin. Linen bandages were used to bind the extremities
Embalming Process
The Embalming 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,
Members of Royalty and the Nobility
-
The Middle
Classes such as scribes, army officers, doctors etc
-
The Egyptian
peasants
Embalming Process - The 70 Day Rule
The embalming process lasted for a period of 70 days. The seventy day
embalming period corresponded to the length of time during which Sirius, the 'Dog
Star', appeared to die by dipping below the horizon. The 70 day
embalming rule
applied to all classes of Egyptians - rich or poor. The 70 day
embalming process for Egyptians was divided into the
following activities:
Embalming Process
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