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 process of mummification describes how by which the tissues of a deceased person can remain intact. This preservation may happen naturally or be carried out by humans. Natural mummification happens in certain environments, such as glacial climates, acidic bogs, or dry climates. One of the most famous forms of intentional mummification is from Egyptian civilization, where the deceased were covered in bandages to prevent decay and preserve the body for the afterlife.

Preserved bodies, both human and animal, have been discovered all over the globe, often because of natural preservation or intentional rituals. Throughout Egypt, over one million animal mummies have been found, many of them cats. The process of Egyptian mummification was very symbolic. The brain was removed through the nose, and extracted most internal organs, keeping only the heart inside the body. This was due to the belief that the heart played a key role in the "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony. The removed organs were placed in canopic jars, which were buried with the mummy.

Today, mummification has taken on a new form in certain BDSM subcultures. Here, the concept of mummification has become a form of role-play, where one person, known as the "slave," is completely wrapped by another, the "master." The nose is left uncovered to ensure oxygen flow. The items used to wrap the body can include duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. While the practice is still called mummification, in this case is primarily about controlling the body and not about preservation.

**Conclusion**

Mummification has undergone vast changes from its roots in early death rituals to present-day practices in subcultures like BDSM. While the traditional purpose focused on preserving the body for the journey to the next life, the modern interpretation centers on role-playing. Even though they are different, both forms of mummification demonstrate a shared human interest in mastery, whether controlling life or death or within social relationships.