Mummification
|
The Egyptians believed that a person needed to keep their bodies intact to go in the afterlife. Therefore, they came up with a very elaborate process to keep the bodies from decaying. |
This is a mummy case.
|
|
|
First, the body's organs were removed. The embalmers made a slit by the stomach to remove the stomach, intestines, lungs, and liver. The brain was extracted through the nasal passage. The slits were then sewn back up. After that, dead person's body was dried out in a type of salt. |
|
|
These are pyramids. |
| Then, the body was wrapped in many layers of bandages and cloth, to keep it from loosing its shape. The wrapped body was places in layers of coffins and tombs, and that was often placed in a mastiba or a pyramid. | |
|
|
|
|
|
While some mummification methods worked, others were not so successful. For example, some early mummies were tough and black while others were yellow and rubbery. Later on, the Egyptians perfected mummification and the bodies began to look just like they did when they were living. |
| Originally, only pharaohs were embalmed, but later on, anyone who had enough money could be embalmed upon their death. |
This is a painting that was on a tomb's wall. It shows some farmers farming. |
