The secret of mummification among the ancient Egyptians

The Ancient Egyptians adhered to various rituals with the aim of transitioning to the afterlife and attaining eternal life in the next realm.

The ancient Egyptians had various rituals to ensure immortality in the afterlife. Death was considered a temporary state, and mummification was used to preserve the spirit's body. The quality of mummification depended on the person's status and wealth, with the highest ranks receiving the best preservation method. The process involved washing the body with water and salt, removing the brain through the nostrils, and taking out the organs except for the heart, believed to guide the person into the afterlife. The liver, lungs, intestines, and stomach were kept in canopic jars, each lid sculpted as one of the sons of Horus, who protected the organs.1. The body underwent a process where it was filled with myrrh, cassia, and other spices, then sewn up and packed with Natron for preservation. After being dehydrated, embalmers would stuff the body with sawdust and linen, oil the skin, add false eyes and a wig, cover it with resin, wrap it in linen bandages, and place a face mask on the head. Finally, the body would be placed in a wooden case or a stone sarcophagus, along with items for the afterlife. Another method involved injecting the corpse with cedar oil, liquefying the organs, and packing it with Natron before returning it to the family. The skill of Egyptian embalmers is evident in the well-preserved mummies from thousands of years ago.

Ancient Egypt has often been described as a civilization centered around death. Although there is not much remaining evidence of their daily lives, we have gained extensive knowledge about them due to their meticulous focus on tombs, treasures, scrolls, and even mummified bodies. Presently, the ancient pharaohs' religion is intersecting with 21st-century technology. In an extraordinary research endeavor, Egyptologists are utilizing state-of-the-art medical science to examine mummies that are over 3,000 years old. Through the use of digital technology, these experts can virtually unwrap the mummies without causing any harm to these invaluable artifacts.

The preservation of their deceased was a significant undertaking for the ancient Egyptians. They believed that in order for the soul to fully experience the physical pleasures of the afterlife, it required a tangible vessel. Hence, they resorted to mummifying bodies, a meticulous process aimed at maintaining the body's pristine condition. By preserving the body, the soul could reenter it and indulge in the offerings of the afterlife, such as food and drink. However, mummification was far from effortless. The embalmers would meticulously extract the internal organs, including the lungs, liver, stomach, and intestines, which were then placed in ceremonial canopic jars.

The body would later be interred alongside them. Subsequently, a lengthy implement was employed to extract the brain through the nasal passage. The ancient Egyptians held the belief that the brain was not a vital organ. Evidently, the point of entry is visible here, where they penetrated the skull's base to extract the brain. Following the removal of the brain, they would liquefy resins and pour the resinous liquid through the nostril, gently rotating the head to ensure the cranium was coated. This procedure aimed to prevent bacterial growth within the cranium. The heart, being deemed the seat of intelligence and emotions, was the sole organ left intact within the body, as it was deemed necessary for the afterlife. The body would be cleansed, dried using a mixture of natron (a type of salt) and baking soda, and after a period of 40 days of desiccation, oils and ointments would be applied to the body before it was ceremoniously wrapped.

1. The process of mummification would come to an end, followed by burial. However, mummification marked the commencement of a lengthy journey, a journey for the soul of the departed. The Egyptian "Book of the Dead" served as the sole guide to the afterlife. The passage to the afterlife was fraught with dangers. The spirit of the deceased had to undergo a series of tests before being reborn eternally. The "Book of the Dead" offered solutions and protection against the hazards of the journey, a quest for immortality. Without knowledge of its contents, the deceased would not reach the afterlife. The ancient Egyptians placed great importance on the afterlife. Acquiring a "Book of the Dead" was a significant investment, with 186 spells to choose from. Scrolls were tailored to individual needs and budgets. Temple priests assisted in selecting the appropriate spells for the afterlife. It is possible that the creation of these books initially served as a means of earning extra income. Convincing the wealthy of its necessity allowed for exorbitant prices to be charged. Owning a personalized "Book of the Dead" may have also been a symbol of status during that era. The cost of such a book would have been prohibitive for the average person, as evidenced by archaeological findings that show it was only owned by the elite.