The mystery of the origin of Egyptian mummies, why can they survive for thousands of years?

Legends about mummies originate mainly from the mythology and religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians. One of the most famous myths is the legend of Osiris and Seth.

Osiris was the king of Egypt, he taught the people farming techniques and gave them prosperity and happiness, so he was worshiped by the people and considered the god of the Nile. However, his younger brother Seth, who always wanted to take the throne, launched a plot to harm his brother.

God Seth cast a beautiful and splendid ark before bringing it to the party organized by god Osiris. At the party, Seth said he would give the trunk to the person who fit it best.

All the gods did not know that the ark was suitable only for the god Osiris. And when receiving cheers from the crowd, Osiris tried to lie down on the ark. However, Seth quickly closed and locked the chest, then covered the chest with molten lead. Finally, this god threw the ark containing his brother Osiris into the Nile River.

After Osiris died, Seth took power to rule Egypt with his wife, his sister Nephthys. Osiris's wife, Isis, was deeply saddened by her husband's death and cried for many days.

Later, she and her sister Nephthys found Osiris's body and brought it back to Egypt to help revive this god. But Seth stole it and divided it into 14 pieces and hid them in many places. Later, Isis found pieces of Osiris's body from around the world and gave them a proper burial.

Time passed like that, until Horus, a descendant of Osiris, grew up. Horus defeated Seth, avenged his father and inherited the throne. This god dug up pieces of his father's body from many different places, reassembled them, and embalmed the body.

With the help of the other gods, Horus resurrected his father, but Osiris's resurrection took place in the underworld. In another world, Osiris became the master of the underworld and was responsible for judging the dead. This myth was passed down among the people, then believed by the Egyptian pharaohs, and these pharaohs believed that they were helped by the gods while they were alive so they could still rule their lands after death. Since then, every Egyptian pharaoh was embalmed after his death.

So how are mummies created?

The reason mummies can be preserved for a long time is mainly because their bodies are effectively prevented from rotting and decomposing. Putrefaction and decomposition are caused by the action of microorganisms, enzymes, insects and animals on corpses. Therefore, to make a mummy, it is necessary to eliminate these elements as much as possible, or create an environment unfavorable for the functioning of these elements.

Artificial embalming is the practice of performing a series of artificial treatments on a corpse to reduce moisture, kill bacteria, remove internal organs, imbue it with flavoring, apply tree resin, and wrap in burlap,... to achieve the purpose of embalming and preservation.

The ancient Egyptians applied this method and their mummy creation process was roughly as follows:

Step 1: Take out the organs and brain. This is the first and most important step in the mummy creation process. Because internal organs and the brain are the most perishable parts of a corpse, if not taken out in time, the corpse will be completely damaged. These organs, including the liver, lungs, stomach, intestines, etc. are cleaned, dehydrated, covered with plastic, wrapped in cloth, and placed in special jars. There are usually four jars representing the four gods.

Step 2: Soak in natron. This is the most time-consuming step in the embalming process. Natron is a solution of table salt and sodium bicarbonate that draws water and fat out of the body, leaving the body dry and stiff.

So, after removing the organs and brain, the body was put into a large container and covered with natron. This process usually lasts about 40 days, during which time the body continuously loses weight and becomes as hard as wood. During this process, embalmers will also regularly check the condition of the corpse, and if signs of decomposition are detected, they will be treated with additional natron or other chemicals. This step has the effect of absorbing moisture and fat in the corpse, making it dry and hard, preventing the penetration and activity of microorganisms and enzymes.

Step 3: This is the most expensive step in the embalming process. After soaking in natron, the corpse was removed from the barrel, rinsed with clean water, then anointed with a variety of spices and resins. These aromas and resins can not only enhance the fragrance and beauty of the corpse, but also prevent insects and bacteria from entering. These flavors and resins are often imported from far away and are very expensive, only rich people can afford them.

This step creates a protective layer on the body's surface that prevents the entry of moisture and oxygen, while inhibiting or killing microorganisms and enzymes. In addition, some fragrances and resins have antibacterial and antiseptic properties.

Step 4: Wrap the Bandage. This is the fourth step in making a mummy, and also the most artistic step. After applying spices and resins, the body was tightly wrapped in linen to form a layered bandage. These ribbons are often hundreds of meters long and require the cooperation of many people to complete. During the wrapping process, amulets and jewelry are also inserted into the bandage to keep the deceased safe and happy in the afterlife. These amulets and jewelry are often made of metal or precious stones, and some have special hieroglyphs or patterns, representing different meanings.

Step 5: This is the final step in the mummy making process. After wrapping the bandage, the mummy is complete. However, before being taken to the grave, a series of religious rituals must be performed to awaken the soul and senses of the deceased.

The mummy is then placed in an elaborate coffin, usually made of wood or metal, and decorated with many colorful images and words. Some wealthy individuals even nest multiple coffins together for added protection and aesthetics. This step can add a layer of protection to the outermost part of the body, which can not only provide safety and dignity to the body but also prevent the body from being stolen or damaged.

Although mummies are often accompanied by many mysteries, the purpose of the ancients who made them was not beyond the simple desire to go to the afterlife, and even to serve the ruler. But it cannot be denied that mummies truly reflect the wisdom of the ancients. In some ways, they also promote the progress of human medicine.