Ancient Egypt Mummies

Ancient Egypt mummies are a source of endless fascination, but why was the mummification process used?

Mummification was performed because the Egyptians believed that the soul had three separate parts. If any of these three parts died or was left without the others then all three of the parts would die.

Ancient Egypt mummies were created with the intent of keeping the soul of the individual together for the afterlife. The process of mummification took a lot of time and effort. But it was done so the body would not decay in the afterlife.

Ancient Egypt Mummies And Animals

Ancient Egypt mummies were not just for humans. In some time periods it was common to mummify cats. It is also believed that other animals may have also been preserved this way.

Cats were mummified because they were sacred to the ancient Egyptians, and it was believed this process kept the soul alive in the next life.

Priests and Mummification

Only priests were allowed to create ancient Egypt mummies. Specific rituals were followed precisely during the process.

Mummification priests were highly trained, and the ritual aspects of the process were just as important as the surgical techniques used at the time.

Priests were not allowed to create mummies in the town temples. Instead this ritual process had to be performed at a Wabet, which was a very clean location situated away from the population and outside of the town.

Anubis And Ancient Egypt Mummies

Anubis was the patron god for surgeons and healers, and during the process of mummification a mask of Anubis was worn by the head priest. The Egyptians believed that Anubis would guide the priests not only in the ritual but also the surgical part of the mummification.

When ancient Egypt mummies were being created it was important that the priest did not make any accidental cuts during the process. Precision and a high degree of skill were required, because the Egyptians believed if the body was scarred or damaged, the soul would not recognize it.

And if this was ever to happen, the soul would be forced to wander forever.

The Mummification Process

In ancient Egypt, mummies were created in a series of steps.

The first part of the process involved cutting into the left part of the abdomen, where the ribs were located. A special ritual knife was used to make this first incision, but all the remaining cuts were done using a regular knife. The organs were than removed from the abdomen and placed in special pottery called canopic jars.

These jars were inscribed with spells and symbols to help the organs join back with the body.

The Jackal Jar was where the stomach was kept. It was believed the god Duamutef guarded the stomach of the deceased.

The Human Jar was where the liver was placed. The god Imsety had a human head. Hence the name of the jar.

Hapi the baboon-headed god, is where the lungs were stored in the Baboon Jar.

Finally the Falcon Jar housed the intestines. Named after the falcon-headed god Qebehseneuf.

Preserving Ancient Egypt Mummies

Ancient Egypt mummies were preserved almost perfectly each time.

The process started with the brain, which was taken out through the nose of the individual and then discarded.

A funnel was used to guide resin through the nostrils after the brain was removed, to preserve the head shape and prevent any collapse.

All of the body parts were kept, and either preserved to stay with the body or given away to family.

Ancient Egypt Mummies Kept Their Heart

The hearts of the ancient Egypt mummies were never removed. The Egyptians believed that the heart was needed for Anubis to weigh in the underworld.

The heart needed to be weighed because it helped guide the soul of the ancient Egyptian mummy.

Other Steps that Ancient Egypt Mummies Went Through

During the final steps of the mummification process, spices and natron salt were used to dry out the body and organs.

A mixture of these ingredients were packed into the body and rubbed into the skin.

Ancient Egypt mummies took time to make, the entire process took about two and a half months to complete.

Over time the body would dry into leather without decaying, and the priests would continue to rub the spices and salt all over the skin.

Wrappings For Ancient Egypt Mummies

Once the mummification ritual and process was complete, the preserved individual was completely wrapped up.

Linen was the cloth of choice; the quality of the linen would depend on the status of the individual.

Every ancient Egyptian mummy was given a death mask, as a second head in case the original was damaged.

The wrappings of the mummies would also include amulets which were believed to be powerful.

Ancient Egypt Mummy Tags

Each mummy created in ancient Egypt was given a tag.

The tag was used as an identification necklace. This ensured the the ancient Egypt mummies could be identified and properly entombed.

Click here to find out more about ancient Egypt mummies and the pyramids they were entombed in.