This process is thought to have been started arround 3000 BC when it was
noticed that bodies naturalli mummified in the sand.
Egyptians believed that preserving the body enabled the soul to journey
to the underworld where it would be reborn.
During the Old Kingdom, (2686 to 2181 BC), only pharaohs had it done. Later on even the Nobility had it done.
The first stage after the death of a person, was the Mourning process.
the women in the family cover their heads and faces in mud, to then leave
the house and run through the streets beating their bear breasts with
their skirts tied up with a belt.
Two days after the death of a pharaoh or nobleman, their is a religious ceremony
lead by the embalming priest which marked the beginning of the long
process of mummification.
After this the body is taken to be embalmed in a place called the "Pure Place", usually situated on the bancks of the Nile, because of the easy acess to water.
Egyptians believed that preserving the body enabled the soul to journey to the underworld where it would be reborn.
At first durind the 3rd Dynasty bodies were wrapped in bandages
soacked in resin. After that the internal organs were removed and
put into what we know as the Canopy jars.
During the 21st Dynasty (1069-945 BC), embalmers inserted clay
into the skin of the face to keep the original look
To take out the internal organs, the priests would have to cut open
the left side of the body, and to removed the brain through the
nostrils with a bronze hook. These organs were then placed in the canopy
jars and placed next to the sarcophagus.
the heart was usually left in the body, but was sometimes replaced by a sacred
Scarab.
The incisions were then closed with resins, and the nostrils plugged
with peppercorns.
The body would then be perfumed and soaked in Natron to dehydrate it.
It would then be left for between 45 and 70 days, the longer the better,
as it would be dehydrated more, and therefore be preserved for longer.
It would then be soaked in resin and sawdust, to keep the shape of
the body.
It would then be wrapped in bandages, first the fingers one by one, then
the arms, legs, body and head last of all. Amulets would then be placed
in the bandages while wrapping at sacred spots, to protect for the journey.,P.
Once the body was embalmed, it would be taken by the relatives and
placed in a wooden coffin the shape of the body.