The Mummification Process of Ancient Egypt. Daily Life in Ancient Egypt ~ Ankh ~ ~ Ankh ~ Ancient...
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Transcript of The Mummification Process of Ancient Egypt. Daily Life in Ancient Egypt ~ Ankh ~ ~ Ankh ~ Ancient...
The Mummification
Processof Ancient Egypt
Daily Life in Ancient EgyptDaily Life in Ancient Egypt
~ ~ Ankh ~Ankh ~Ancient Egyptian symbol for “Life”.Ancient Egyptian symbol for “Life”.
Eye of HorusEye of Horus
Symbol of protection.Symbol of protection.The “Eye of Horus” also represented the eternal The “Eye of Horus” also represented the eternal
renewal ofrenewal of
the kingdom from pharaoh to pharaoh.the kingdom from pharaoh to pharaoh.
The ancient Egyptians believed . . The ancient Egyptians believed . . . .
Just as the sun descended to its “death” each night, a person’s Just as the sun descended to its “death” each night, a person’s spirit descended down to the underworld spirit descended down to the underworld ((DuatDuat) ) when they when they
died. To the Egyptians, the underworld was not a “bad” died. To the Egyptians, the underworld was not a “bad” place but simply where your spirit continued to exist,place but simply where your spirit continued to exist,
ifif your life had been worthy.your life had been worthy.
Two Types of “Spirit”Two Types of “Spirit”Actually, the ancient Actually, the ancient
Egyptians believed there Egyptians believed there were two spirit forces:were two spirit forces:
The The KaKa was the “life force” was the “life force” or energy that every living or energy that every living thing possessed. thing possessed. KaKa left left your body when you died, your body when you died, but it could be sustained but it could be sustained on its own through food on its own through food
and drink. That is why the and drink. That is why the deceased were buried with deceased were buried with things a person might need things a person might need as they continued in their as they continued in their
afterlifeafterlife..Symbol for Ka
Ancient Egyptians were buried with food & Ancient Egyptians were buried with food & drink, weapons, furniture – even games!drink, weapons, furniture – even games!
The game of “Senet”
The The BaBa was something was something like the soul of the like the soul of the
person and was person and was usually symbolized by usually symbolized by a bird with the head a bird with the head
of a human.of a human.
The The Ba Ba made it possible made it possible for the deceased to for the deceased to leave his tomb and leave his tomb and
rejoin the rejoin the KaKa after his after his or her death.or her death.
Egyptians believed that the most powerful Egyptians believed that the most powerful part of a person was his or her heart. The part of a person was his or her heart. The heart was never removed from the body heart was never removed from the body - it was considered the center of being.- it was considered the center of being.
Ancient Egyptians also believed that when you died, your spirits joined Ancient Egyptians also believed that when you died, your spirits joined andand appeared before a panel of fourteen judges who considered the appeared before a panel of fourteen judges who considered the
actions of your life. actions of your life. AnubisAnubis, an important god of the underworld, then , an important god of the underworld, then weighed your heart against the feather of weighed your heart against the feather of Ma’atMa’at, the goddess of truth , the goddess of truth
and justice. If the heart was heavier than the feather, then the and justice. If the heart was heavier than the feather, then the deceased had a heart that was made heavy by evil deeds. deceased had a heart that was made heavy by evil deeds. AmmutAmmut, , the crocodile-lion-hippopotamus god, would devour the heart and the the crocodile-lion-hippopotamus god, would devour the heart and the deceased would be denied an afterlife. However, if the heart was not deceased would be denied an afterlife. However, if the heart was not heavy, then the god, heavy, then the god, HorusHorus, would lead the deceased to join , would lead the deceased to join Osiris Osiris
(god of eternity)(god of eternity) forever. forever.
The god, The god, ThothThoth, recorded the outcome., recorded the outcome.
Anubis AmmutThoth Horus
Osiris
In order to have a In order to have a body in the body in the
afterlife, the afterlife, the earthly body of earthly body of
the deceased the deceased was preserved was preserved
through the through the process of process of
mummificationmummification..Mummy of Ramses II
Steps for Mummification
1. Announcement of Death 2. Embalming the Body 3. Removal of Brain 4. Removal of Internal Organs 5. Drying Out Process 6. Wrapping of the Body 7. Final Procession
Announcement of DeathAnnouncement of Death
The first step in the mummification process was to let people know of the death. A messenger was sent out to
the streets to announce that the person had died. This allowed people to prepare themselves for a period of
mourning and religious ceremony.
STEP 2:STEP 2:Embalming the BodyEmbalming the Body
The second step was The second step was taking the body to the taking the body to the embalming workshop embalming workshop maintained by a team maintained by a team of specialized priests.of specialized priests.
Materials Used in Mummification
Materials Used in Mummification
1. Linen 1. Linen (cloth)(cloth) 6. 6. NatronNatron (sodium bicarbonate & salt)(sodium bicarbonate & salt)
2. Sawdust2. Sawdust 7. Onion 7. Onion (used in place of some removed (used in place of some removed organs)organs)
3. Lichen 3. Lichen (moss; (moss; used for stuffingused for stuffing)) 8. Nile mud8. Nile mud
4. Beeswax4. Beeswax 9. Linen pads9. Linen pads
5. Resin 5. Resin (bitumen)(bitumen) 10. Frankincense 10. Frankincense
STEP 3:STEP 3:Removal of the BrainRemoval of the Brain
The first part of the body to be removed was The first part of the body to be removed was the brain. Egyptians did not know the the brain. Egyptians did not know the
purpose of the brain and didn’t think it was purpose of the brain and didn’t think it was important.important.
To extract the brain, a hook was inserted To extract the brain, a hook was inserted through the nose. The embalmers pulled out through the nose. The embalmers pulled out as much as they could then put the brain in as much as they could then put the brain in water to dissolve. Some historians think the water to dissolve. Some historians think the water was then thrown out, but others think water was then thrown out, but others think it was taken with the mummy to the burial it was taken with the mummy to the burial
chamber.chamber.
Extraction of the BrainExtraction of the Brain
STEP 4:STEP 4:Removal of Internal Removal of Internal
OrgansOrgansNext to be removed were the internal organs:Next to be removed were the internal organs:
the liver, the lungs, the stomach, and the the liver, the lungs, the stomach, and the intestines.intestines.
A small slit was made on the left side of the A small slit was made on the left side of the abdomen, then the organs were removed . abdomen, then the organs were removed .
Each of the organs was individually Each of the organs was individually mummified and stored in little coffins called mummified and stored in little coffins called
canopic jarscanopic jars. There were four . There were four canopic canopic jars jars , one for each of the organs. These jars , one for each of the organs. These jars were believed to be protected by the four were believed to be protected by the four
sons of the god, sons of the god, HorusHorus..
Imset protected the liver.He had the head of a human.
Ha'py watched over the lungs. He had the head of a baboon.
Duamutef looked after the stomach.He had the head of a jackal.
Qebehsenuef guarded the intestines. He had the head of a falcon.
STEP 4 continued:STEP 4 continued:Removal of Internal Removal of Internal
OrgansOrgansInternal organs were removed to keep the Internal organs were removed to keep the
mummy dry and to prevent decay as mummy dry and to prevent decay as much as possible.much as possible.
Once the internal organs were removed, Once the internal organs were removed, the inside of the body was washed out the inside of the body was washed out
withwith
palm oil, lotions, and preserving fluids. palm oil, lotions, and preserving fluids.
Next the body was stuffed with linen, straw, Next the body was stuffed with linen, straw, or other material to keep the general or other material to keep the general
shape of the deceased person. shape of the deceased person.
STEP 5:STEP 5:Drying Out ProcessDrying Out Process
It was important to remove all moisture.It was important to remove all moisture.
The body was covered with The body was covered with natronnatron (similar to baking soda and salt) (similar to baking soda and salt) which was found which was found
naturally in the dry desert. naturally in the dry desert.
The body stayed packed in The body stayed packed in natron natron and and taken outside for at least taken outside for at least forty daysforty days in order to complete the drying process.in order to complete the drying process.
Embalmer’s Tools:1.“Brain Hooks”2. Oil Jar3. Funnel4. Embalmer’s Knife
1
2
3
4
STEP 6:STEP 6:Wrapping of the BodyWrapping of the Body
Hundreds of yards of linen cloth were usedHundreds of yards of linen cloth were used
to wrap the body.to wrap the body.
Occasionally, the priests stopped the wrapping Occasionally, the priests stopped the wrapping process to say prayers. A final shroud was process to say prayers. A final shroud was
placed on the mummy to keep all the placed on the mummy to keep all the wrappings together. wrappings together. MummiaMummia (resin)(resin) was then was then
added to the shroud to help preserve the added to the shroud to help preserve the mummy .mummy .
(That's how we get the word “mummy” and it is one (That's how we get the word “mummy” and it is one reasonreason
why mummies are dark in color .)why mummies are dark in color .)
STEP 6 continued:STEP 6 continued:Wrapping of the BodyWrapping of the Body
AmuletsAmulets or charms and inscribed or charms and inscribed pieces of papyrus were also pieces of papyrus were also
placed between each layer of placed between each layer of bandage as the preserved body bandage as the preserved body
was wrapped. Egyptians believed was wrapped. Egyptians believed that these charms had magical that these charms had magical
properties that would protect the properties that would protect the body. body.
Scarab (beetle) = Symbol of renewal
Wrapping the BodyWrapping the Body
One priest wore a mask One priest wore a mask of the god, Anubis,of the god, Anubis,
during the during the mummification mummification
process.process.
Anubis was the god of Anubis was the god of mummification and mummification and had the head of a had the head of a
jackal.jackal.
It was his job to protect It was his job to protect the dead on their the dead on their
journey to the journey to the afterlife.afterlife.
STEP 6 continued:STEP 6 continued:Wrapping of the BodyWrapping of the Body
The preserved body was then placed in a wooden coffin. The The preserved body was then placed in a wooden coffin. The wealthier the family of the deceased, the more elaborately wealthier the family of the deceased, the more elaborately decorated the coffin. Very wealthy people were often decorated the coffin. Very wealthy people were often buried in coffins within larger coffins.buried in coffins within larger coffins.
STEP 6 STEP 6 continuedcontinued: Wrapping of the : Wrapping of the BodyBody
Coffins were decorated to look like the deceased person. A painted Coffins were decorated to look like the deceased person. A painted portrait mask was placed over the mummy's head. These final portrait mask was placed over the mummy's head. These final decorations helped the dead person's spirit (Ka) recognize its decorations helped the dead person's spirit (Ka) recognize its
owner. owner.
STEP 7:STEP 7:The Final ProcessionThe Final Procession
The last step of mummification was the The last step of mummification was the final processionfinal procession where the family where the family and friends of the deceased walked and friends of the deceased walked
through the town on their way to the through the town on their way to the burial place. Mourners were even paid burial place. Mourners were even paid
to cry so that the gods of the other to cry so that the gods of the other world would see that the person was world would see that the person was
well -loved. The more people cried, the well -loved. The more people cried, the more it would seem that the deceased more it would seem that the deceased was loved and the better chance he or was loved and the better chance he or she had of going to the after world. she had of going to the after world.
STEP 7 STEP 7 continuedcontinued: The Final : The Final ProcessionProcession
Before the mummy was taken inside the tomb, a ceremony Before the mummy was taken inside the tomb, a ceremony called called ““Opening of the Mouth Opening of the Mouth ” ” took place. The took place. The
family recited spells while priests used special family recited spells while priests used special instruments to touch different parts of the mummy's face. instruments to touch different parts of the mummy's face.
The Egyptians believed that, through the ceremony, the The Egyptians believed that, through the ceremony, the dead would be able to eat, breathe, see, and heardead would be able to eat, breathe, see, and hear
in the afterlife.in the afterlife.
STEP 7STEP 7 continuedcontinued: The Final : The Final ProcessionProcession
The mummy was then laid in the burial chamber along with The mummy was then laid in the burial chamber along with his belongings, the canopic jars, and the his belongings, the canopic jars, and the Book of the Book of the DeadDead. . The The Book of the DeadBook of the Dead was not actually a book was not actually a book
but a collection of over 200 prayers and spells written on but a collection of over 200 prayers and spells written on papyrus. This book contained instructions on how to papyrus. This book contained instructions on how to
achieve eternal life. achieve eternal life.
Sometimes the tomb itself was decorated with the prayers. Sometimes the tomb itself was decorated with the prayers.
The tomb was then The tomb was then sealed.sealed.
Was everyone mummified in ancient Egypt?Was everyone mummified in ancient Egypt?
No, only the pharaoh, his family, and other wealthy No, only the pharaoh, his family, and other wealthy and important nobles and officials. However, within and important nobles and officials. However, within the tombs of the ancient dignitaries, archaeologists the tombs of the ancient dignitaries, archaeologists
have found mummified animals!have found mummified animals!
Common people were buried in the hot, dry Common people were buried in the hot, dry sand which also served to preserve some sand which also served to preserve some
bodies.bodies.
Thousands of Thousands of mummies have mummies have
been found been found over the years.over the years.
Of course, pharaohs were mummified and buried with Of course, pharaohs were mummified and buried with the most elaborate preparation and ceremony of all.the most elaborate preparation and ceremony of all.
Sarcophagus
Shabtis: The Pharaoh’s Servants in the Afterlife
Shabtis: The Pharaoh’s Servants in the Afterlife
Pharaohs were buried with small statues that the
ancient Egyptians believed would come to life and
serve the pharaoh in the afterworld.
Mummy of Pharaoh, Seti I
The end. Or is it the Or is it the beginning beginning . . . . . . ??