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Mummification
Ancient Egyptians believed in an afterlife when someone died. Mummification helped someone reach the afterlife as they thought that, in order to have an afterlife, the dead person would have to repossess his or her body. Egyptians believed that the only way to do this was if the body was recognisable.
Mummification was mainly done to wealthy people as poorer people could not afford the process.
The chief embalmer was a priest wearing a mask of Anubis.
Anubis was the jackal headed god of the dead. He was closely associated with mummification and embalming.
This is the step-by-step process of how mummification took place:
1. A hook was inserted through a hole near the nose and the brain pulverised.
2. The brain was drained from the skull through the nose.
3. A cut was made on the left side of the body near the tummy.
4. All the internal organs were removed - the heart, lungs, intestines, liver and stomach.
5. The internal organs were left to dry.
6. The lungs, intestines, stomach and liver were placed inside their own separate canopic jars.
7. The inside of body was rinsed out with wine and spices.
8. The heart was then placed back inside the body.
9. The corpse was covered with natron (salt) for 70 days to help dry it out.
10. After 40 days the body was stuffed with linen or sand to give it a more human shape.
11. After a total of 70 days the body was ready for the final 12. Small amulets (pieces of jewellery thought to give protection against evil, danger, or disease) were then placed on top of the body before being wrapped from head to toe in bandages.
13. The body was then place in a sarcophagus usually made of stone (a type of box like a coffin).
14. If the person had been a Pharaoh a death mask was placed over their face.
15. They would have been placed inside their own special burial chamber with lots of treasure, food, pets and sometimes servants.
Ancient Egyptians believed in an afterlife when someone died. Mummification helped someone reach the afterlife as they thought that, in order to have an afterlife, the dead person would have to repossess his or her body. Egyptians believed that the only way to do this was if the body was recognisable.
Mummification was mainly done to wealthy people as poorer people could not afford the process.
The chief embalmer was a priest wearing a mask of Anubis.
Anubis was the jackal headed god of the dead. He was closely associated with mummification and embalming.
This is the step-by-step process of how mummification took place:
1. A hook was inserted through a hole near the nose and the brain pulverised.
2. The brain was drained from the skull through the nose.
3. A cut was made on the left side of the body near the tummy.
4. All the internal organs were removed - the heart, lungs, intestines, liver and stomach.
5. The internal organs were left to dry.
6. The lungs, intestines, stomach and liver were placed inside their own separate canopic jars.
7. The inside of body was rinsed out with wine and spices.
8. The heart was then placed back inside the body.
9. The corpse was covered with natron (salt) for 70 days to help dry it out.
10. After 40 days the body was stuffed with linen or sand to give it a more human shape.
11. After a total of 70 days the body was ready for the final 12. Small amulets (pieces of jewellery thought to give protection against evil, danger, or disease) were then placed on top of the body before being wrapped from head to toe in bandages.
13. The body was then place in a sarcophagus usually made of stone (a type of box like a coffin).
14. If the person had been a Pharaoh a death mask was placed over their face.
15. They would have been placed inside their own special burial chamber with lots of treasure, food, pets and sometimes servants.