Mummien

Mummien is the German term for mummies, the preserved bodies of humans or animals after death. In English, the plural is mummies. A mummy can result from intentional preservation by cultural practice or from natural conditions that slow decay, such as dry air, cold temperatures, or anoxic bogs.

The best-known tradition is ancient Egyptian mummification, practiced from the Old Kingdom through the Roman period. The process typically began with the removal of internal organs, except the heart, followed by dehydration with natron and later wrapping of the body in linen bandages. The mummy might be placed in a coffin or sarcophagus and accompanied by amulets, resin, and sometimes canopic jars that held preserved organs.

Other cultures produced mummies as well. The Chinchorro people of what is now Chile began artificial mummification around 5000 BCE, making some of the oldest known mummies. In the Andean region, Inca and pre-Inca societies mummified rulers and elites for religious and political reasons, often maintaining the body in dry, cool conditions or through deliberate preservation. Natural mummies occur where environmental conditions slow decay, such as deserts, cold permafrost, or peat bogs.

Today mummies are studied by archaeologists, palaeopathologists, and historians to learn about ancient health, diet, and culture. Non-destructive imaging techniques such as CT scanning and X-ray analysis, along with DNA studies, help researchers examine preserved tissues without damaging the remains. Museums display mummies to educate the public, while modern ethics emphasize respectful treatment and appropriate context for these artifacts.