mummified

Mummified describes a body or remains that have undergone mummification, a preservation process intended to slow decomposition and protect the corpse after death. Mummification can be intentional, as practiced by various cultures, or can occur naturally in favorable environmental conditions.

Mummification occurs naturally in very dry, cold, or waterlogged environments where decay is slowed or halted. Artificial or intentional mummification has been practiced in several cultures, notably by the ancient Egyptians, the Chinchorro of northern Chile, and various Andean peoples.

In ancient Egypt, preservation typically began with the removal of internal organs (often kept in canopic jars) and the brain, followed by dehydration of the body with natron. After drying, the body was treated with resins and oils, filled or stuffed to restore form, and wrapped in linen bandages, sometimes with amulets placed within the wrappings. The mummy was placed in a tomb or sarcophagus to accompany the deceased in the afterlife.

Chinchorro mummies, some of the oldest known artificial mummies, date from around 5000–3000 BCE and used techniques including body reconstruction and masking. In the Andes, other mummies reflect adaptations to high-altitude and desert environments.

Today, mummified remains are studied by archaeologists and other researchers using imaging and conservation methods. The practice informs our understanding of health, diet, and social practices in past societies, while museums and ethical guidelines govern handling and display of human remains.