Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Ancient Egypt to Modern Practices

Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Ancient Egypt to Modern Practices

Blog Article

The art of preserving bodies refers to the method in which the body of a deceased person can be preserved. This method of keeping bodies intact can occur naturally or be performed through human intervention. Natural mummification happens under specific conditions, such as glacial climates, acidic bogs, or dry environments. A notable type of intentional mummification comes from Egyptian history, where the deceased were encased in bandages to stop decomposition and keep the body for the journey to the afterlife.

Preserved bodies, both human and animal, have been unearthed all over the globe, often resulting from natural preservation or cultural practices. Within Egypt, more than a million animal mummies have been uncovered, many of them cats. The process of Egyptian mummification was highly ceremonial. Egyptians would extract the brain via the nostrils, and removed all major internal organs, leaving only the heart. This was due to the belief that the heart was crucial for the "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony. The other organs were stored in canopic jars, which were laid to rest with the body.

Today, mummification is being used differently as part of certain BDSM practices. Here, the concept of mummification is part of role-playing scenarios, where one person, referred to as the "slave," is bound tightly by another, the "master." Breathing is allowed through exposed nostrils for breathing. The materials used for this wrapping vary from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Although this practice is still called mummification, in this case is primarily about controlling the body instead of preservation.

**To conclude**

Mummification has transformed from its roots in ancient burial rituals to modern-day practices in alternative lifestyles. Although its original intention was to preserve the body for the journey to the next life, the contemporary practice centers on role-playing. Despite the differences, both forms of mummification reveal a fascination with control, whether it is over death or in controlling others.