Mummification is the act of preserving a dead body. It can be performed on humans as well as animals. The bodies that are mummified can be preserved frozen, wet, or dry. Mummification can be a natural process, or it can be deliberately done. It was practiced by several cultures throughout the history of mankind, the most notable among them is the Egyptians.

Why and How the Process Began

According to the beliefs of the cultures that practiced mummification, preservation of the body is a way to enable the dead to achieve immortality. They believed that the spirit is eternally linked to the body, and if the body decays, the spirit will also wither. Therefore, mummification was performed with the purpose of preventing decay.

It is believed that mummification was inspired by the discovery of naturally mummified bodies that were buried in desert sands. However, these natural mummies were not whole, as some parts of the bodies had disintegrated with decay. A desire to preserve the entire structure of the human body led to the practice of artificial mummification.

• HowStuffWorks � Mummy : Information about the history of mummification

• Mummification in Ancient Egypt : Introduction, development, and history of mummification

Embalming

In ancient Egypt, when a person was declared dead, his body would be brought to a tent called the �ibu�, which means �place of purification�. There, the body would be thoroughly washed with salt water and embalmers. This process was performed to make sure that the dead were clean before they entered the realm of the afterlife.

• Britannica � Mummy (Embalming) : Information about embalming a mummy

Process of Removing the Organs

After the embalming process, the body would be taken to another place, called the �per nefer�, which means �house of beauty�. In this place, the organs of the body would be removed, starting with the brain. A chisel would be used to break the bone of the nose. Then, an iron hook would be inserted into the skull to extract the brain. After the brain was removed, the skull would be rinsed with water.

The left side of the body would then be slit open, and the abdominal organs would be removed. This was followed by the removal of the lungs. The heart would be left in the body, because the Egyptians believed that the dead person would need it to survive in the next world. The stomach, lungs, intestines, and liver would be washed, dried, bandaged, and stored in canopic jars.

• Thinkquest.org � Removing of the Organs : Information on how the organs of the body were removed during mummification

• AncientEgypt.co.uk - Mummification : An account of how a body was mummified, with illustrations.

Products Used in the Process of Mummification

A salt mixture, called natron, would be applied throughout the body to eliminate all the moisture and prevent the occurrence of decay. Then, palm wine would be used to clean the chest cavity. To maintain the shape of the body, the body cavity would be filled with sawdust. Other materials that were used in mummification include bitumen, henna, ointments, and paint.

• Egyptian Mummification Materials : List of materials that were used during the mummification process

The Wrapping Process

After the body had been left to dry for 40 days, the sawdust would be taken out, and linen soaked with natron and other materials would be used to refill the body cavity. Then, the slit on the side of the body would be sewn up, and the body would be ready for the wrapping process. Linen bandages measuring 3 to inches wide would be used, and they would be applied to the hands or feet first. Every individual finger and toe would be wrapped, and then, the wrapping would move on to the arms, legs, torso, and head. As new layers of bandages were applied, the linen would be coated with hot resin. Once the entire body was wrapped several times over, the mummification process would be complete.

• HowStuffWorks � Mummification (Drying and Wrapping) : Information on how a mummy was wrapped

• Thinkquest.org � Mummification Wrapping Process : An account of the wrapping process during mummification

Famous Mummies from History

Some of the more well-known artificial mummies in the history of mankind are the mummies of King Tut, Ramses II, Jeremy Bentham, and Vladimir Lenin. Famous natural mummies include Otzi the Iceman, Juanita the Ice Maiden, the Siberian Ice Maiden, and Kwaday Dan Ts�inchi.

• 10 Important Mummies : A list of 10 mummies that are valuable to archaeologists

• Famous Egyptian Mummies : Information about the famous mummies from ancient Egypt

Make your own Mummy Costumes:

• Video Tutorial:How to make a mummy costume

• Ehow: Great step by step tutorial.

• Adult halloween costumes: Purchase a mummy costume, no assembly required!
  

Some improvements have been made to the mummification process during modern times. Today, there are organizations that offer mummification service, but it is not a popular funeral option because of its high cost.