A mummy is a dead human or a animal whose soft tissue and organs have been preserved either by intentional or accidental exposure to chemicals, extreme cold, very low humidity, or of lack of air, so that the recovered body does not decay further if it kept in cold or dry conditions.

HISTORY

Mummies of humans and animals have been found in every continents, both as a result of natural preservation through unusual conditions and as a cultural artifacts.

Over one million animal mummies have been found in Egypt, which are mostly cats. Many of the Egyptian animal mummies are sacred Ibis, and radiocarbon dating suggests the Egyptian Ibis mummies that have been analyzed were from the time frame that falls between approximately 450 and 250 BC.

In addition to the mummies of Ancient Egypt, deliberate mummification was a feature of several ancient cultures in areas of America and Asia with very dry climates.

 FACTS OF MUMMIES

1.Over the past few thousands of years, many of the Egyptian mummies have been destroyed in interesting ways. Some are burned for fuel, some were ground into powder to make magical potions and some were destroyed by treasure hunters.

2.Some times the mummy's mouth would be opened to symbolize breathing in the afterlife. It is probably this custom that led to the superstition that mummies come back to life.

3.Mummies are studied by scientists without unwrapping them by using CAT scan and X-Ray machines

PREPARATION OF MUMMIES

Until recently, it is believed that the earliest Ancient Egyptian mummies were created naturally due to the environment in which they were buried. 

When tested on 5600 year-old mummy in Turin revealed that it has been deliberately mummified using linen wrappings and embalming oils made  from conifer resin and aromatic plant extract.

The preservation of the dead had a profound effect on Ancient Egyptian Religions. Mummification was an integral part of the rituals for the dead beginning as early as the 2nd dynasty. 

Egyptian saw the preservation of body after death as an important step to living well in the afterlife. As Egypt gained more prosperity, burial practices became a status symbol for the wealthy as well.

 This cultural hierarchy lead to the creation of elaborate tombs and more sophisticated methods of embalming.

The first and the most important step was to halt the process of decomposition, by removing the internal organs and washing out the body with a mix of spices and palm wine. The only organ left behind was the heart, as the tradition held the heart was the seat of thoughts and feeling and would therefore still be needed in the afterlife.

After cleansing, the body was then dried out with natron inside the empty body cavity as well as outside on the skin. The internal organs were also dried and either sealed in individual jars, or wrapped to be replaced within the body. This process typically took forty days.

After dehydration, the mummy was wrapped in many layers of linen clothe. Within the layers, Egyptian priests placed small amulets to guard the decedent from evil. Once the mummy was completely wrapped, it was coated in a resin in order to keep the threat of moist air away. Resin was also applied to the coffin in order to seal it.

The mummy was then sealed within its tomb, alongside the worldly goods that were believed to help aid it in the afterlife. 

TOP 6 FAMOUS MUMMIES

1.King Tutankhamun

2.Ramesses II

3.Hatshepsut

4.Vladimir Linen

5.Ginger

6.Rosalia Lombardo