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Why is it important that we learn about the ancient Egyptian process of mummification?
The methods of embalming, or treating the dead body, that the ancient Egyptians used is called mummification. It was important in their religion to preserve the dead body in as life-like a manner as possible.
What is mummification and why was it important?
The process of mummification is the process (embalming and wrapping) by which a body was preserved and prepared for burial. The ancient Egyptians mummified their dead because they believed that the physical body would be important in the next life. The lack of heat and dryness led the bodies to decay.
Why is learning about mummies important?
A mummy preserves information about lifestyle, diet, diseases, cause of death, and religious and funerary beliefs, giving us an insight into aspects of the civilisation that archaeology and ancient literature alone cannot provide.
What’s the definition of the process of mummification?
Definition of a Mummy. Mummification is the process by which the body is preserved. There are mummies around the world, but the ancient Egyptians were the ones who created an elaborate procedure in order to ensure the preservation of the body. Early on in their history, Egyptian would have buried their dead in the desert,…
Why do we want to know more about mummies?
Mummies provide a window to the past, teaching us about the lives, history and cultures of every region of the world. By studying mummies, we can learn more about the times and places in which they lived. Through modern science, their bodies tell scientific facts; how long they lived, how tall they were,…
What did the ancient Egyptians use to mummify bodies?
Although the Egyptians did occasionally use tar in the mummification process, most mummies were coated in dark resins, which gave the skin a black colour. The Egyptians referred to dead bodies as khat and used the word sah for bodies that had undergone the rites of mummification.
Are there any texts that have survived mummification?
The few texts that have survived, such as the Ritual of Embalming, focus on the rituals and the more practical and gruesome aspects of mummification are largely ignored. The most important source material are the bodies themselves.