The Role Of Mummification In Ancient Egypt

The practice of mummification in ancient Egypt allows one to understand the role of both religion and Egyptian beliefs in the context of the process, purpose and superstition involved in mummification. However, there are very few reliable sources available for those aiming to thoroughly investigate the impact of such a process on daily life practices such as religion and beliefs in ancient Egypt . The essential factor in the method of mummification is dehydration of the body, via the use of either salt or natron ; it is generally accepted that natron was the both the most important and frequently used preservative substance in the process .

Ancient Egyptian religion is a complex and multifaceted topic; while some of Egyptian religious life
As such, proper care for the dead was considered mandatory, whether rich or poor, to ensure their immortality in life after death; the deceased were provided with food and drink, weapons, as well as frequent visits from family members who brought new offerings with them to tombs. The temples themselves became an important element in the spiritual life of Egypt; with substantial proof that portions of Egypt were directly controlled and administered by the temples. There were frequent morning, midday and evening rituals at specific locations each day, which allowed for stability and assurance of faith and practice for the people . Repetition of both such daily practices as well as methods of ensuring life after death through mummification reinforced both the importance of Egyptian faith and awareness of its permanence and significance in society . The two most important concepts concerning the after life were the ka and the ba; the ka referring to a kind of other detached self which was there for guidance and associated with the individuals fortunes; thus, once deceased one was to join with their ka. Furthermore, the concept of ba is loosely associated with a person’s soul,
The findings of various bodies of sources, such as the Book of the Dead, provide us with much knowledge of ancient Egyptian concepts in these topics, particularly in the belief of the afterlife. A section of the Books of the Dead, known as Chapter 105, depict an event when a deceased comes before his ka at the end of his journey; it is known as a “Spell for appeasing the ka” through an offering as well as the acceptance of “becom[ing] [their] ba” now “mighty and healthy” the individual is now “purified and justified” through the process of death . On the other hand, the development of religion in ancient Egypt is unable to be defined as one faith due to the many different gods and goddesses, who appear more or less identical, yet exist simultaneously. Various contradictory myths explaining creation and natural phenomenon as well as magical acts of bravery, jealously, valour and war are closely associated, in a contemporary context, with the idea of “magic”. Goedicke believes that extended research is devoted to this concept of “magic” due to the unclear distinction between religion and magic as well as superstitions in attempting