Mummies and The Embalmer

Ancient Egyptians believed that to gain eternal life, the body needed to be perserved so the spirt could live on. In the early days of the Old Kingdom, limbs were wrapped in linen, but the body was left intact. Gradually, priests discovered that bodies would not decay as quickly if organs were taken out. Embalmers began removing organs and placing them in canopic jars , containters used in funeral rituals. Removal to the brain began in the Old Kingdom, but was done on a more regular basis during the Middle and the New Kingdoms. Crystals of natron, a salt, were used to dry the body. During the Middle and New Kingdoms, many bodies were stuffed with straw.

Mummification Process