by Earl King

Created on: September 05, 2008

MUMMIFICATION EXPLAINED

Religion was a dominating influence in the life of the ancient Egyptians. The principle focus was their belief in life after death.

They believed that a one's life-force was composed of several parts. The most important was the ka. This was a duplicate of the body. It stayed with the person throughout that his or her life. The ka left when death occurred and went to take its place in the kingdom of the dead.

For the ka to continue to exist, it had to be reunited with the body. This led to the art of mummification of the body, to preserve it until time to become one with the ka. This became an extremely important part of their religion and culture.

The embalming process which led to the mummification of the body began in the fourth dynasty, about 2600 BCE (a dynasty is a succession of rulers from the same family). The Egyptian civilization lasted through 31 dynasties. During the New Kingdom (after 1580 BCE) mummification reached its highest degree of perfection.

Note that for the purpose of dating, the notation BC is being replaced by BCE, meaning "before common era". AD is being replaced by CE or Common Era. This is something that has come into practice in recent years.

I would like to elaborate on the term "New Kingdom" as well. The Egyptian civilizations greatest days were over by about 1000 BCE. Before that history is divided into five layers. The Old, Middle and New Kingdoms separated by the first and second intermediate periods. The three kingdoms are periods of great success. The two intermediate periods are times of weakness and disruption.

Keep in mind that the descriptions that follows varied over the time period in which they were practiced. Also there were no written set of directions left of how they were to performed the process. Judging from bodies found buried in the sand and the excellent condition they were in, the lengthy process below may not have been needed.

The embalming or mummification process took place at or near the necropolises (large or elaborate cemetery). In some cases these places were actually attached to the necropolis and became known as temples when a king was interred. Including funerary rites and the mummification, a period of 70 days were required. It must begin very soon after death.

Organs that tend to decay quickly were removed first, such as those in the abdomen, thorax and cranial cavity. Removal of the viscera or intestines is done through a hole in the left side of the abdomen. Procedures varied

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