Explain the main features of the mummification process in ancient Egypt.

This question can connect to the first year of A-level Archaeology, Unit 1; Religion and Ritual.

The earliest form of mummification comes from the pre-dynastic period, in the form of a sand burial, although no artificial means of preservation were used the bodies were effectively preserved thanks to the arid condition in which they were buried. The deceased body was buried with everyday objects that were seen to be useful in the afterlife such as pots and beads along with amulets that each served a different purpose, most commonly for protection. The body was placed in the foetal position with the head pointed south and the face turned west toward the setting sun which was seen as the entrance to the afterlife.

Over the years the process of mummification was adapted to accommodate the advances in technology and also to dispose of their deceased in a more respectful way that would give them the best chance of gaining entrance into the afterlife such as linen wrapping and embalming. When the original sand burial was changed to include a coffin this prevented the sand from preserving the body so the Egyptians developed the sarcophagus to look like the deceased so that the body can still be identified in the afterlife even though the actual body decayed. Evidence of the removal of internal organs and the use of natron to dry out the body come from the early dynastic period and the old kingdom, bodies in these periods were also wrapped in linen. A development from the first intermediate period, middle kingdom and second intermediate kingdom was the fingernails and toenails being tied onto the body with thread as these fall of as the natron dried the body as it was essential that the whole body be places in the tomb so that the person could exist in the afterlife. This period introduced the head and shoulders mask to make the body more easily identified.

The most recent form of mummification comes from the new kingdom, incorporating many of the previous techniques along with many new ones to perfect the process. The first step was to embalm the body, this process lasted for 52 days and included the removal of the organs through an incision in the abdomen and the brain was removed through the nose using a long hook, however the kidneys and heart remained in the body as these were seen as essential for gaining access to the afterlife, notably the heart being used in the weighing of the heart ceremony. The removed organs were dried with natron and placed in canopic jars, the mostly hollow body was then stuffed with linen, natron and resin the keep its shape. The body was then dried out with natron which took around 40 days. The next step was to take the body it the Wabet, the house of purification where it was washed in water of the Nile, the body cavity was then emptied and repacked, along with the skull, with resin soaked linen and the incision was sewn up. The body was then rubbed with a mixture of cedar oil, wax, natron and gum and them dusted with spices and coated in hot resin the close the pores and protect the surface. Between the 53^rd day of the process an the funeral the body was carefully wrapped in linen, individually wrapping each limb and digit with shrouds of linen, amulets, jewellery and masks enfolded between each layer along with extracts from the book of the dead to aid the Ba’s journey to the afterlife.

Although many of the features changed over time the main idea behind the process of mummification always remained the same, this being to preserve the body as much as possible to give it the best chance of reaching the afterlife.

Grade; B. Good development of the process of mummification, more specific examples needed.