MUMMIFICATION
It is important to note that the mummification process varies depending on the financial position of the mummified person and the period of the mummy. According to Herodotus, there were three methods of mummification, which were divided into classes, rich, middle and poor. The wealthy citizens had the most lavish mummification performed while the middle class was a degraded version of the rich. The poorest citizens were carried out at least Äîenough to preserve the body.
The mummification process evolved throughout ancient Egypt. Early mummification was simple. The body was placed in a pit and desert heat quickly dehydrated wet flesh. This in turn kept the body. As Egyptians fine tuned the process they finally began removing the internal organs like the brain, intestine and stomach. These bodies decompose quickly and have been placed inside jars separated to prevent significant damage to the body due to decomposition.
The process of mummification
After the death of an Egyptian embalmers when called by the members of the family and the body was transported to the IBU (the tent of purification). IBU, which was located on the west bank of the Nile, is where the body will begin the process of mummification.The first thing was to wash the body and the sacred anointing oil. Once purified, the body was then taken to the wabet (Palace of embalming). Here, it is believed according to Herodotus, a large incision was made on the left side of the abdomen. This incision was used to remove vital organs like the intestines, liver, lungs and stomach. Often, the kidneys were ignored because they thought they had little significance. Once removed, the bodies were wrapped and placed in canopic jars.
With bodies, mostly during the late Middle Kingdom and early New Kingdom, the brain was removed. To do a large hole was drilled through the ethmoid bone located just above the nostrils. A hook-shaped tool was inserted into the hole and used to liquefy the brain and then drained through the nose. All that was left behind was removed with, Äúdrugs, AU, according to Herodotus.
After the body had been cleaned up and removed organs was then ready for the next step, the dehydration process Aith. This process is controversial because of Herodotus, the participant's choice of words describing it. He used the word Äúpickle, the AU which has led many Egyptologists to believe that the body was immersed in a solution of natron salt. The other method, which was tested and proved to be more logical, called for large amounts of salt natron to be packed in your body dry. Although we Äôll never know until a document is revealed, we can only speculate between the two methods.
After drying the body is then washed and all traces of soda are deleted. The corpse was then taken by nefer (beautiful house) where it is shaped plush and return to its normal size. Many perfumes and oils were rubbed on the body and open wounds sealed with wax. During the hot wax, a metal plate decorated with symbols of protection seals the incision wounds. After the anointing has been completed and the wounds sealed molten resin was added to cover the body. Men and women would color of ocher. The men were red and yellow women.
The packaging process has lasted fifteen to thirteen days. members of the bereaved family would donate tissue for embalmers and in many cases, special fine mesh with spells written on them were used. Most of the time sheets of fabric were used as primary packaging material. This process was done until the body was protected from head to foot in linen. During the packaging process of many charms have been added between the layers to ensure safe passage and protection.
The body was then covered with a death mask papyrus or linen and reinforced with plaster. royal mummies, such as Tutankhamen, AOS, were made of gold and holding precious and semi-precious stones that were inlaid. The mummy was then placed in his coffin, and possibly his grave
The mummification process continues to be a bit of a mystery. There were no texts or books left to give an overview of the process. Instead, we relied on the representations and some fragments of papyrus to help understand how the process has been completed. More information is gathered by examining the mummies themselves and the great Greek historian Herodotus.
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