Ancient Egypt
How were mummies
made?
Herodotus (a famous ancient Greek historian) described
mummification in this way:
“As much as possible of the brain is taken out through the nostrils with
an iron hook. What the hook cannot reach is rinsed out with drugs.
Next the side is cut open with a flint knife and the whole contents of
the abdomen removed. The space is then thoroughly cleansed and
washed out, first with palm wine and again with liquid containing
spices. After that, the space in the body is filled with pure myrrh,
cassia, and other perfumes except frankincense and sewn up again.
Then the body is placed in natrum, covered entirely over, for seventy
days - never longer. When this period is over, the body is washed and
then wrapped from head to foot in linen cut into strips and smeared
with gum, which is often used by the Egyptians instead of glue. The
body is given back to the family, who have it put into a wooden case
shaped like the human figure. The case is then sealed up and stored
in a burial chamber, upright against the wall.”
Herodotus provides us with written evidence of the process of
mummification. The British Museum contains objects and documents
which help us to understand how this process was carried out.
The Egyptians did not understand what the brain was for. They
needed to take it out to preserve the body. The easiest way to
do this was through the nose with a hooked probe.
A small incision (cut) was made in the left side
of the body to remove the internal organs.
They left the heart inside the body. It
would be needed during the journey to the
afterlife where it was weighed against the
feather of truth.
They removed the other organs and dried them to preserve
them.
Qebehsenuef
The organsthe
could
falcon-headed
be placed in god
Canopic
looksjars
after
to the
keep
intestines.
them safe.
Which organ
goes
each canopic jar?
Look after
at the
Hapy
theinbaboon-headed
god looks
theheads.
lungs.
Duamutef the jackal-headed god looks after the stomach.
Imsety the human-headed god looks after the liver.
They washed the body with pleasant smelling liquids.
They then covered it in natron
(natural salt) for 40 days. This
dehydrated (dried out) the body
and stopped it rotting. This
ensured the body was preserved.
Once the body had dehydrated it was washed again
using perfumes and oils.
The clean and dehydrated body was then carefully
wrapped in linen sheets and strips.
The body was wrapped very carefully to
look like a human figure. This shape
could be used in the afterlife if the
person’s body itself did not survive very
well.
Amulets were placed in the
mummy wrappings. These were
like good luck charms and were
used to protect the body.
The mummified body was placed in a coffin.
This coffin could be shaped like a human.
The coffin could be painted or
embellished with other decoration
such as gold.
The family then took the coffin to the tomb.
Funeral ceremonies were performed and the tomb was sealed with the hope that
the dead person would reach the afterlife.
Find out more about ancient Egyptian mummification
Visit the main Museum website
www.britishmuseum.org
Use Explore to look at some of our mummies
www.britishmuseum.org/explore/introduction.aspx
Learn more about mummification
www.ancientegypt.co.uk