Research Paper On Egyptian Mummification
World History
Egyptian Mummies
After having discussions in class, I’ve decided I wanted to learn more in depth about the history and process of Egyptian Mummification. The mummification process became popular in Egypt around 2700 BC and started fading away after 200 AD. This process for the dead stuck around strong for almost 3000 years and over time has had different methods and techniques added to it. In the ancient Egyptian days anyone that could afford the process could be mummified if they wanted but typically pharaohs were the ones that were made burials and tombs after being mummified.
During the time of a pharaoh’s death, there would be a period of mourning for the next seventy days after the date of his death. During this time …show more content…
period there were a number of rules and rituals that were done in grieve and sorrow of their pharaoh. Everyone in the town or city of the pharaoh was forced to weep and tear holes in their clothes. Along with that, people of the town were not permitted to bath or eat any kind of meat during this time period. With the strict rules and regulations in place, the towns people are also not allowed to drink wine or have sex, causing these seventy days of mourning to be an extreme period of grieve. While the whole 70 days of mourning period is going on, the deceased pharaoh is put through the long and precise process of mummification.
Around the end of the second dynasty and start of the third, was the time period when the first mummies were made to date.
Over the years many changes were made and different techniques were used to help better preserve the bodies of the mummies. The location of Egypt and its harsh climates played a big part in enabling the mummification process to take place. The dry arid heat in Egypt helped the body to dry out quicker and made the process a lot faster. Also Egypt was located near the rift valley, which was enriched and full of chemicals needed in the mummification process. Some of these chemicals that played a big part in the process were natron and the Reisen from cedar weed that is used to draw water out of the body. As stated on Wikipedia, the most classic and common method of mummification dates back to the 18th Dynasty. They first start by removing all of internal organs in the body, so the corpse can dry out and avoid decay. The brain was usually first to go, using a tool called the bronzed hook. They start by inserting the bronze hook through the nostrils until it reaches the brain and they “liquefy” it. Following the brain, they removed the liver, lungs, stomach and intestines through a small three inch hole in the stomach. Once these procedures are done, they then place the organs in a canopic jar and are placed next to the body when
finished.
Works Cited none. www.ancientegypt.co.uk/time/explore/mum.html. n.d.
William Duiker, Jackson Spielvogel. "World History Volume 1: To 1800, seventh edition." n.d.
Egyptian Mummies
After having discussions in class, I’ve decided I wanted to learn more in depth about the history and process of Egyptian Mummification. The mummification process became popular in Egypt around 2700 BC and started fading away after 200 AD. This process for the dead stuck around strong for almost 3000 years and over time has had different methods and techniques added to it. In the ancient Egyptian days anyone that could afford the process could be mummified if they wanted but typically pharaohs were the ones that were made burials and tombs after being mummified.
During the time of a pharaoh’s death, there would be a period of mourning for the next seventy days after the date of his death. During this time …show more content…
period there were a number of rules and rituals that were done in grieve and sorrow of their pharaoh. Everyone in the town or city of the pharaoh was forced to weep and tear holes in their clothes. Along with that, people of the town were not permitted to bath or eat any kind of meat during this time period. With the strict rules and regulations in place, the towns people are also not allowed to drink wine or have sex, causing these seventy days of mourning to be an extreme period of grieve. While the whole 70 days of mourning period is going on, the deceased pharaoh is put through the long and precise process of mummification.
Around the end of the second dynasty and start of the third, was the time period when the first mummies were made to date.
Over the years many changes were made and different techniques were used to help better preserve the bodies of the mummies. The location of Egypt and its harsh climates played a big part in enabling the mummification process to take place. The dry arid heat in Egypt helped the body to dry out quicker and made the process a lot faster. Also Egypt was located near the rift valley, which was enriched and full of chemicals needed in the mummification process. Some of these chemicals that played a big part in the process were natron and the Reisen from cedar weed that is used to draw water out of the body. As stated on Wikipedia, the most classic and common method of mummification dates back to the 18th Dynasty. They first start by removing all of internal organs in the body, so the corpse can dry out and avoid decay. The brain was usually first to go, using a tool called the bronzed hook. They start by inserting the bronze hook through the nostrils until it reaches the brain and they “liquefy” it. Following the brain, they removed the liver, lungs, stomach and intestines through a small three inch hole in the stomach. Once these procedures are done, they then place the organs in a canopic jar and are placed next to the body when
finished.
Works Cited none. www.ancientegypt.co.uk/time/explore/mum.html. n.d.
William Duiker, Jackson Spielvogel. "World History Volume 1: To 1800, seventh edition." n.d.