El método de embalsamamiento cuando los antiguos egipcios descubrieron recientemente el método de momificación y descubrieron sus materiales y métodos. Los antiguos egipcios descubrieron la momificación dejando el cadáver sobre la arena caliente cubierta por la luz del sol, ya que se comprobó que el cadáver no se descomponía rápidamente.

El secreto del proceso de momificación egipcio

Los antiguos egipcios creían firmemente en el concepto de la vida futura y la resurrección tanto del cuerpo como del alma. Ese conjunto de creencias se originó a partir de sus observaciones a lo largo de su vida diaria, como el sol que cae en el horizonte occidental cada tarde y luego renace una vez más a la mañana siguiente en el este. Del suelo del antiguo Egipto brotaría nueva vida a partir del grano plantado. La luna cambiaría de forma cada año.

Los antiguos egipcios creían en un sentido de equilibrio, ley y bienestar. orden y la promesa de una nueva vida después de la muerte. Utilizaron muchas herramientas y procedimientos científicos para preservar a los muertos, lo que se denomina proceso de momificación y fue realizado por especialistas altamente capacitados. Esta honorable tradición fue un rito de iniciación para que todos los antiguos egipcios buscaran entrar al más allá.

This article endeavors to provide a comprehensive exploration of Ancient Egyptian mummification, primarily focusing on ancient Egyptian practices while also touching on broader aspects of mummification across cultures. By delving into various dimensions of this intriguing funerary tradition, our aim is to enlighten readers about the diversity of individuals who underwent mummification, the historical backdrop that nurtured its development, and the profound reasons that compelled ancient Egyptians to preserve their deceased. Through a meticulous examination of the intricate mummification process, we seek to unveil the techniques employed, while dispelling common misconceptions. Furthermore, our goal extends to conveying fascinating facts about ancient Egyptian mummification that might surprise and captivate our audience.

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History of Ancient Egyptian Mummification

History of Ancient Egyptian Mummies – Egypt Tours Portal

The practice of mummification was highly widespread starting from the early days of ancient Egypt. The key behind the mummies occurred in the prehistorical times when the air and dry sand with the lack of rainfall preserved many bodies in dug shallow pits. In the 4th and 5th dynasties about 2600 BC, ancient Egypt began to mummify their bodies according to their religious teachings. The art of mummification was completely perfected during the Third Intermediate period (1070 – 712 BC). Across the next 2000 years, the practice of mummification continued and developed all the way to the Roman Period (30 BC – 364 BC). With each period, the mummification quality changed according to the price that was paid.

Highly sophisticated, and preserved mummies date from the 18th and 20th dynasties during the New Kingdom of Egypt (1550 – 1070 BC). In the late period around 450 BC, the great historian Herodotus documented the entire mummification process. The Mummification process faded away in the 4th century when Rome ruled Egypt was a Christian nation that ruled out the mummification process was forbidden. Many scholars and historians believe the mummification process at a lost art but many elements of the process can be found in the way current people honor their loved ones.

The Ancient Egyptian Mummification Process Steps-by-Steps

Mummification Process Steps by Steps – Egypt Tours Portal

Before the mummification process evolved to its finest form, the corpse was put in a pit in the desert in a fatal sleeping position with all their precious personal items. All the water would be absorbed from the body thus preserving it. The body was wrapped in animal skins inside a wooden or pottery coffin, lined with many mud bricks, and covered entirely so the preservation procession to be more intact. The internal organs were removed, dried, and put in jars to better improve the mummification process.

The process was performed by s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed priests who extracted the brain from the nostrils with an iron hook then the flank was opened the content of the abdomen was totally removed. The cavity is cleaned and filled with cassia and myrrh plus other aromatic substances. The body is sewn up and covered in natron entirely for 70 whole days, afterwards, the body is washed and put in linen bags for 35 days to draw all the moisture across all the tissues. All the removed organs such as lungs, liver, stomach, and intestines, were then put in Canopic jars with dry natron, the heart was left in the body as the core of intelligence.

The body was then filled with lichen, sawdust, cloth scraps, and Nile mud to make the body flexible. The Ancient Egyptians would then replace the eyes with linen pads and small cooking onions. In the Middle Kingdom, it became a standard to place a mask over the face of the mummy. Prayers from the Book of the Dead were added to the mummy to make his transition to the afterlife as safe and successful as possible.

The Steps of the Mummification Process:

Step 1: Insert a hook through a nostril hole to extract a portion of the brain.

Step 2: Make an incision on the body’s left side near the abdomen.

Step 3: Remove all the internal organs.

Step 4: Allow the internal organs to dry.

Step 5: Store the lungs, stomach, intestines, and liver in canopic jars.

Step 6: Return the heart to its original position within the body.

Step 7: Cleanse the interior of the body with a mixture of wine, herbs, and spices.

Step 8: Cover the deceased body with natron (salt) for exactly 70 days.

Step 9: After 40 days, fill the body with linen or sand to restore a lifelike form.

Step 10: At the conclusion of the 70-day period, enshroud the body in bandages from head to toe.

Step 11: Place the wrapped body within a sarcophagus “ancient Egyptian decorated coffin“.

Final Step: If the individual held the status of a Pharaoh, they would be interred in an exclusive burial chamber decorated with spells from ancient Egyptian texts like the Book of the Dead along with abundant treasures that would assist him in his journey to the afterlife.

The Purpose of the Egyptian Mummification Process

Purpose of the Egyptian Mummification Process – Egypt Tours Portal

The ancient Egyptians believed in life after death and when a person dies, their spiritual essence still lives, and in order for the soul to survive the body has to remain intact. They believed that the spirit is divided into three parts the Ka, Ba, and Akh. The ka was considered the “Double” of the person, who would stay in the tomb, and offerings and objects were presented. The Ba, or “Soul” is free to fly out of the tomb and return at any time. The Akh, or the “Spirit“, would travel through the Underworld with Anubis to attend the Final Judgment with Osiris and entrance to the Afterlife.

The process of preserving the body and turning them into mummies was described in detail in the pyramid texts accompanied by the story of Osiris’s death where the universe fell into utter chaos, and the tears of the gods transformed into materials such as resins, honey, and incense used for the mummification process.

Who Was Mummified?

Who Was Mummified – Egypt Tours Portal

The Pharaohs of Egypt after death were mummified and buried in a highly elaborate tomb to earn their rightful place in the heavens with the ancient Egyptian deities. All members of royal high officials, royalties, society elites, and nobility received the same service and treatment plus all the common people who could offer them which was considered to be expensive. Many ancient Egyptians for religious reasons chose to mummify animals that were considered to be sacred such as bulls, cats, crocodiles, snakes, birds, and more.

Interesting Facts About Ancient Egyptian Mummification

Ancient Egyptian Mummification Facts – Egypt Tours Portal

Facts 1: The practice of Ancient Egyptian mummification started accidentally, with bodies preserved in dry sand, but intentional mummification began around 2600 BCE during the Fourth and Fifth Dynasties. The practice evolved over more than 2,000 years, with varying levels of quality based on payment. The best-preserved mummies are from the New Kingdom’s Eighteenth through Twentieth Dynasties (ca. 1570–1075 BCE), including renowned pharaohs like Tutankhamun. The ritual of mummification was incredibly analyzed by early historians like Herodotus, who documented it during his visit to Egypt around 450 BCE.

Fact 2: The practice of Ancient Egyptian mummification was very common, and not limited to only the rich or elite. While wealthier individuals underwent an elaborate and more expensive mummification process carried out by professional embalmers, regular Egyptians had more budget-friendly options. Even the poorest could opt for a simple burial where the deceased was wrapped in linen and accompanied by the necessary spells for their journey to the afterlife as seen across all the Ancient Egyptian coffins discovered all over upper and lower Egypt.

Hecho 3: En el extraordinario proceso de momificación egipcio, todos los órganos como los pulmones, el hígado, el estómago y los intestinos fueron extirpados cuidadosamente para evitar la descomposición. Estos órganos se limpiaban profundamente, se secaban y se colocaban en frascos especiales que luego se enterraban junto al cuerpo. El corazón, que se creía que contenía las emociones y la personalidad de una persona, se dejó en su lugar, ya que desempeñaba un papel fundamental en el juicio en el más allá.

Hecho 4: El cerebro cuya función no se entendía bien fue descartado. Los embalsamadores utilizaban un gancho a través de la nariz para extraer fragmentos del cerebro y luego enjuagaban la cavidad craneal. el cuerpo estuvo en natrón durante más de 70 días. Luego, el cuerpo fue envuelto meticulosamente en tiras de lino recubiertas de resina, a menudo alrededor de 4000 pies cuadrados para las momias más elaboradas, durante 40 días. Los faraones podrían haber estado envueltos en lino que antes adornaba las estatuas de dioses, mientras que la gente común usaba tiras de ropa de cama. Los sarcófagos del difunto del Antiguo Egipto estaban hechos de varios materiales como madera, piedra o incluso oro, y presentaban algunas de las obras de arte más encantadoras que estaban hechas principalmente de hechizos del Libro de los Muertos y títulos de los difuntos con información sobre su vida y sus logros.

Dato 5: Las momias de animales también eran muy comunes, desde animales sagrados hasta queridas mascotas, lo que refleja diferentes prácticas religiosas y sociales. No vale nada. Los animales eran adorados como dioses, mientras que otros eran criados con fines de sacrificio, como gatos, ibis y vacas, y además eran enterrados junto a sus dueños.

Hecho 6: La noción de una “Maldición de la momia” no era una invención moderna, pero tenía Tiene sus raíces en las creencias del antiguo Egipto. Las inscripciones de las tumbas advertían sobre posibles consecuencias para los ladrones de tumbas, invocando la ira de los dioses e incluso persiguiendo fantasmas. Esta creencia reflejaba un miedo a las represalias del reino espiritual más que un miedo a las momias mismas.

Conclusión

En conclusión, la momificación del antiguo Egipto es un testimonio profundo de sus intrincadas creencias y prácticas. Ofrece una ventana a su viaje espiritual al más allá, mostrando una artesanía notable y conocimientos culturales. Para una experiencia de primera mano de las maravillas de Egipto, Egypt Tours Portal ofrece excepcionales paquetes de vacaciones en Egipto y cruceros por el río Nilo. Con guías expertos, alojamiento cómodo y transporte perfecto, podrá sumergirse en la cautivadora historia de Egipto. Elija Egypt Tours Portal para un viaje inolvidable a los misterios del antiguo Egipto.

Explora las maravillas del antiguo Egipto con Egypt Tours Portal. Adéntrese en la rica historia de la momificación y más allá, guiado por expertos apasionados. Sus completos servicios garantizan una aventura perfecta, permitiéndole descubrir los secretos del pasado de Egipto mientras disfruta de comodidades y conocimientos de primer nivel.