Mummification in Egypt Its Origins

Studies by Bill Manley Professor of Anthropology, University of Glasgow. Treating the remains of our fellow humans, even anonymous with care and dignity is a universal human instinct, even in times of war or disasters. At funerals more sophisticated, the body of the dead through mummification was prepared, ie the artificial preservation of the corpse.

This process involved first the removal of internal organs (evisceration), and then the cleansing and purifying the body before dissect in natron. Then the body is washed and covered with oil and resin, wrapped in large strips linen, and finally placed in a coffin. Finally, the internal organs embalzamar used and deposited in the tomb in jars. These practices were conducted for over 3000 years.

Why did the ancient Egyptians performed about as complex preparations for funerals, and what beliefs they resided after?. Origins of mummification, in predynastic times, burials were practiced, usually in the hot, dry desert sand around the Nile As a result the body was dissected from naturally quickly preventing decomposition, so that the skeleton, skin, tissue and hair of the individual are often kept intact (only changed the color of the skin and hair).

It is said that what inspired mummification burials were exposed to the desert winds or animals. According to this opinion, the Egyptians were intrigued by the preservation of the body and the implications this had on the continuation of life after death. In later predynastic periods, burials became increasingly complex, the corpse was placed in a container , or the tomb is lined in some way. In both cases the body was no longer in contact with the heat of the sand and, therefore, could be broken, unless artificially preserved before burial.

There are many differences between the main features of the funerary practices of prehistoric times and the Pharaonic period. First, while most of the bodies predynastic burials were made (as a fetus), the bodies of later times elongated into position. Second, since the early Pharaonic period, the tombs consisted of a burial chamber and a separate area for offerings, this two-part structure was crucial in Egyptian burials for 3000 years.

Third, the body was not dissected, and the most basic form of mummification only involved the cleansing and purifying the body instead of desiccation. Finally the funeral included a series of rituals, of which there is no evidence pertaining to prehistoric times. I invite you to visit the Digital Library http://www.magazineofsales.com where you'll find items of proven quality for your personal and spiritual development : Leaving Work (training courses), Health (Natural Treatments), Sports, Entertainment, Computing, Languages, and more.