![Picture](/uploads/7/9/6/2/79620882/4223186.jpg?389)
Mummification and Burial
Mummies are probably one of the most well-known parts of Egyptian mythology. The practice was done for most of Egypt’s early history (Smithsonian Institution, 2012). The process was done for the intentions of preserving the body for the Ka and Ba (Ikram, 2003). It was an intricate process that was crucial to being part of the afterlife. After death, everyone went through the mummification process. However, the type of burial service they received depended on their economic status (My Learning, 2016).
The Embalming Process
Each step of the embalming process was painstakingly done by a priest that wore a jackal mask that represented Anubis, the god of the dead. The priest had a process that he followed to the letter. First, he would insert a hook into the nose and remove part of the brain, then he would remove all of the internal organs. Once the organs had dried, the priest would put the lungs, intestines, stomach and liver into canopic jars. The heart would then be put back into the body, it is not known why the heart was left in the body, but it most likely has something to do with the Ib or spiritual heart. Then the body would be bathed in salt for seventy days, releasing all moisture that was left in the body. After the seventy days, the body was wrapped in bandages and placed in a sarcophagus (My Learning, 2016).
Canopic Jars
During the embalming process, some major organs are placed into special jars called canopic jars. These jars had the heads of the four sons of Horus (My learning, 2016). Each organ had a corresponding god to go along with it. Imsety (“The Kindly One”) protected the Liver and is depicted as a mummified human. Qebhesneuf (“Brother’s Cooler”) protected the intestines and is depicted as a mummified falcon. Hapy (“Runner”) protected the lungs and is depicted as a mummified baboon. And Duamutef (“Praising his Mother”) protected the stomach and is depicted as a mummified jackal (Egyptian Myths, 2014).
Treasures and Offerings
An important part of a person’s burial were the offerings and treasures that a person was buried with. The Egyptians believed that the afterlife was reminiscent of their earthly lives and therefore the dead needed their earthly possessions. The family of the departed would often bring food and water to the grave in case their loved one needed extra food for the afterlife. Other items that were given to the deceased included clothing, jewelry, furniture, and special dolls called Shabti dolls. The Shabti dolls were used in case the person needed to send a replacement worker in the afterlife (Mark, 2013).
Amulets were another important item that people were normally buried with. They were normally used to protect them in the afterlife. The most commonly used amulet was called “The eye of Horus” or “Wedjat Eye”. The amulet was typically put around the person’s neck after embalming (My Learning, 2016).
Sarcophagus
The sarcophagus was what the body was placed in after the embalming process was completed. Depending on the deceased persons wealth, the coffin had designs and jewelry placed on it. There were protection hieroglyphics that would ensure the deceased safety in the afterlife. The person’s name was often a main feature on the sarcophagus, a person’s name was a crucial aspect of Egyptian mythology. Without a name, the soul would wither away into nothingness and never unite with the Ba (Ikram, 24). If the person was wealthy enough, then the coffin was incrusted in gold and other fine jewels. A portrait of the individual was often put on the sarcophagus (Mark, 2013).
Tombs
“That the tomb provided one with an eternal cosmos is evident from its name: the House for Eternity” (Ikram, 2003, p. 139). The tomb was arguably the most important part of the burial process. Building a tomb was just as important as building a house or having a family. Tombs were typically made from imperishable items, unlike houses which were made from mud. Egyptian tombs were built to last forever, since they believed that tombs were eternal. Tombs were normally separated into two sections: the decorated tomb-chapel and the burial chamber (Ikram, 2003).
The Tomb-chapel is where the funeral service took place. It was normally decorated with jewels and paintings. The wealthier the deceased, the more beautiful the tomb-chapel. The tomb-chapel is normally placed above ground and is where tourists can visit today. Egyptians could come and write prayers on the wall and mourn their deceased loved ones, however the bodies were not located in this part of the tomb (British Museum, n.d). Egyptians all wanted to have beautiful tombs in order to encourage visitors to pray for the deceased (Ikram, 2003).
The burial chamber is where the body is put in its final resting place. This portion of the tomb was normally located below the ground. This is to symbolize the underworld. The living are not normally allowed in this section of the tomb. Because of this, the burial chamber is normally unfinished and undecorated. The most famous tombs of ancient Egypt include The Valley of Kings and the Pyramids (Ikram, 2003).
Learn more about mummification here: http://www.historyonthenet.com/Egyptians/mummies.htm
Mummification and Burial
Mummies are probably one of the most well-known parts of Egyptian mythology. The practice was done for most of Egypt’s early history (Smithsonian Institution, 2012). The process was done for the intentions of preserving the body for the Ka and Ba (Ikram, 2003). It was an intricate process that was crucial to being part of the afterlife. After death, everyone went through the mummification process. However, the type of burial service they received depended on their economic status (My Learning, 2016).
The Embalming Process
Each step of the embalming process was painstakingly done by a priest that wore a jackal mask that represented Anubis, the god of the dead. The priest had a process that he followed to the letter. First, he would insert a hook into the nose and remove part of the brain, then he would remove all of the internal organs. Once the organs had dried, the priest would put the lungs, intestines, stomach and liver into canopic jars. The heart would then be put back into the body, it is not known why the heart was left in the body, but it most likely has something to do with the Ib or spiritual heart. Then the body would be bathed in salt for seventy days, releasing all moisture that was left in the body. After the seventy days, the body was wrapped in bandages and placed in a sarcophagus (My Learning, 2016).
Canopic Jars
During the embalming process, some major organs are placed into special jars called canopic jars. These jars had the heads of the four sons of Horus (My learning, 2016). Each organ had a corresponding god to go along with it. Imsety (“The Kindly One”) protected the Liver and is depicted as a mummified human. Qebhesneuf (“Brother’s Cooler”) protected the intestines and is depicted as a mummified falcon. Hapy (“Runner”) protected the lungs and is depicted as a mummified baboon. And Duamutef (“Praising his Mother”) protected the stomach and is depicted as a mummified jackal (Egyptian Myths, 2014).
Treasures and Offerings
An important part of a person’s burial were the offerings and treasures that a person was buried with. The Egyptians believed that the afterlife was reminiscent of their earthly lives and therefore the dead needed their earthly possessions. The family of the departed would often bring food and water to the grave in case their loved one needed extra food for the afterlife. Other items that were given to the deceased included clothing, jewelry, furniture, and special dolls called Shabti dolls. The Shabti dolls were used in case the person needed to send a replacement worker in the afterlife (Mark, 2013).
Amulets were another important item that people were normally buried with. They were normally used to protect them in the afterlife. The most commonly used amulet was called “The eye of Horus” or “Wedjat Eye”. The amulet was typically put around the person’s neck after embalming (My Learning, 2016).
Sarcophagus
The sarcophagus was what the body was placed in after the embalming process was completed. Depending on the deceased persons wealth, the coffin had designs and jewelry placed on it. There were protection hieroglyphics that would ensure the deceased safety in the afterlife. The person’s name was often a main feature on the sarcophagus, a person’s name was a crucial aspect of Egyptian mythology. Without a name, the soul would wither away into nothingness and never unite with the Ba (Ikram, 24). If the person was wealthy enough, then the coffin was incrusted in gold and other fine jewels. A portrait of the individual was often put on the sarcophagus (Mark, 2013).
Tombs
“That the tomb provided one with an eternal cosmos is evident from its name: the House for Eternity” (Ikram, 2003, p. 139). The tomb was arguably the most important part of the burial process. Building a tomb was just as important as building a house or having a family. Tombs were typically made from imperishable items, unlike houses which were made from mud. Egyptian tombs were built to last forever, since they believed that tombs were eternal. Tombs were normally separated into two sections: the decorated tomb-chapel and the burial chamber (Ikram, 2003).
The Tomb-chapel is where the funeral service took place. It was normally decorated with jewels and paintings. The wealthier the deceased, the more beautiful the tomb-chapel. The tomb-chapel is normally placed above ground and is where tourists can visit today. Egyptians could come and write prayers on the wall and mourn their deceased loved ones, however the bodies were not located in this part of the tomb (British Museum, n.d). Egyptians all wanted to have beautiful tombs in order to encourage visitors to pray for the deceased (Ikram, 2003).
The burial chamber is where the body is put in its final resting place. This portion of the tomb was normally located below the ground. This is to symbolize the underworld. The living are not normally allowed in this section of the tomb. Because of this, the burial chamber is normally unfinished and undecorated. The most famous tombs of ancient Egypt include The Valley of Kings and the Pyramids (Ikram, 2003).
Learn more about mummification here: http://www.historyonthenet.com/Egyptians/mummies.htm