Mumification

Mumification is the process of preserving a dead body by drying out the tissues and preventing decay. This can occur naturally, through environmental conditions like extreme cold, dryness, or submersion in peat bogs, or it can be an artificial process carried out by humans. Artificial mumification has been practiced in various cultures throughout history, most famously by the ancient Egyptians.

The Egyptians developed elaborate methods to mummify their dead, believing it was essential for the afterlife. This involved removing internal organs, which are prone to rapid decay, and preserving them in canopic jars. The body was then thoroughly dried using natron salt, a naturally occurring mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. After drying, the body cavity was often filled with linen or sawdust, and the body was wrapped in hundreds of yards of linen bandages. Amulets and religious texts were often placed within the wrappings for protection.

Other cultures also practiced forms of mumification. In the Andes, for instance, bodies were dried and sometimes wrapped in textiles. The Chinchorro people of modern-day Chile and Peru created the oldest known artificial mummies, predating Egyptian practices by thousands of years, using a complex process of skinning, deboning, and stuffing the body with plant material and ash. Natural mummification, while not a deliberate act, can create remarkably preserved specimens that offer invaluable insights into past environments and human lives. The study of mummies, known as mummy studies or paleopathology, helps archaeologists and scientists understand ancient diseases, diets, and burial rituals.