Mummification Flashcards
1
Q
When did the practice of Mummification begin?
A
- ~12,000 years ago during the Neolithic
2
Q
Was Mummification originally on purpose?
A
- No, it was accidental.
- Dead were buried in shallow graves in the desert where heat and sand dried out the body and naturally mummified them
3
Q
Who was buried in the Egyptian pit graves?
A
- Everyone. Rich, poor, royalty and commoners
4
Q
Types of mummification
A
- Pre-Dynastic: Body was allowed to decompose, skeleton later re-assembled
- Early Dynastic: Viscera left intact, body wrapped in linen wrappings
5
Q
Hierakonpolis Mummies
A
- Evidence for the beginnings of artificial mummification
6
Q
Earliest burial date for intentional mummification
A
3600 BC
7
Q
Old Kingdom Mummification
A
- 4th Dynasty 2575 - 2465 BC
- Buried in tombs, natural mummification not possible
- Process developed over trial and error
8
Q
Later Mummification
A
- Practice expanded among all Egyptian social classes
- Less care was taken in preparation than Old Kingdom
- Most widespread during Greco-Roman period
9
Q
Herodotus
A
- Gave account for how Mummification worked
10
Q
Perfected Mummies
A
- Embalmers “shop” was a moveable tent
- 70 days for Mummification: 15 days cleansing, 40 days drying, 15 days wrapping
11
Q
Removing Organs
A
- Took brain out via iron hook through the nose
- Incision made on left side of body to remove internal organs (except heart)
12
Q
Preserving Organs
A
- Removed organs, dried them, placed them in Canopic jars (except heart, which was left inside body for afterlife)
13
Q
Body Preservation
A
- Covered Body in Natron for 40 days to dry it out
- Washed with perfume and oils after
14
Q
Body Wrapping
A
- Dehydrated body carefully wrapped in linen
- Made to look human
- Amulets placed within wrappings for good luck and protection
15
Q
Funeral
A
- Mummified body placed in coffin
- Coffin taken to the tomb where ceremonies were performed
