Mummification in Ancient Egypt - Literature review Example

Insert General Purpose: To educate Specific Purpose: To acquaint the listeners with ancient mummies of Egypt Central Idea:To educate the listener on the incredible and strange Egyptian practice of mummification, highlight the reasoning behind the procedure, and the lessons that mankind can draw from it all Mummification in Ancient Egypt I. Hello. Imagine that death has occurred A. This death has occurred either to you, or a loved one 1. Your corpse, or your loved one’s, is mutilated by ripping its side wide open to remove its internal tissues and organs from the rest of the body, in the process of disembowelment 2. In addition, the brain is equally excised 3. Your eye balls are also pushed further into the sockets of the eye and what is left of the nearly hollow body is filled with linen like a child’s play doll 4. However, the process does not end at that, as the skin is then artificially dried like a slug by salting B. This description, to most of us, would seem only possible in a bloody horror movie. In truth, however, this is an actual depiction of the start of the ancient process of mummification in Egypt 1. Aside from this unpalatable/ traumatizing mutilation, the costs of burial through mummification, especially in the period between 2,600 BC to around 300 AD, were very high and economically draining to the people, to say the very least. C. Critical in the history of Egypt is mummification and mummies, and so we will endeavor to delve into the process itself, to dissect and understand it. We will also look at the main reasons why it was practiced and how the contemporary society deems/ regards these aesthetically preserved and monumental bodies II. According to Hawass (2004), preserving a corpse in a way that left it looking as alive as could be managed was critical in the Egyptian religion. The steps I have highlighted in the beginning of my talk were only part of stage of the mummification process that entailed two very engaging stages A. The first process, conducted only by the priests, was known as embalming 1. This pioneer embalming stage entailed the excision, from the body, of internal organs that are commonly known to rot fast following the event of death 2. The entire process of mummification lasted approximately 70 days. The internal organs that had been removed were dried and then carefully stored in special containers (canopic jars) after which the presiding priest blessed them through spoken word 3. Using a hook, the brain was excised from the skull through the nose. The heart of the corpse was however left intact since Egyptians held that the memories, emotions and intelligence of the person lived on in their hearts 4. After this mass excision of internal organs, what was left of the corpse was filled with special material (linen) to regain its original shape. The corpse was consequently dried for several weeks to ensure that the preservation would last for a very long time B. The second and final process of mummification entailed wrapping of the embalmed corpse 1. In this procedure, the corpse was thoroughly wrapped using bandages of linen. Prayers were then said and rituals performed. Expensive jewelry and stones, faience and gold amulets were laid on the corpse then also wrapped within fresh bandages. These ‘accompaniments’ were believed to be a source of protection for the dead person 2. More prayers and spells ensued after this procedure. The body was also wrapped while holding an ancient book called ‘The Book of the Dead’. This book was believed to guide and lead the spirit in the after-life 3. Following this book process, tow more rounds of linen were wound around the corpse. The mummified corpse would hence be enclosed in a series of caskets which would also be enclosed within a sarcophagus. The sarcophagus was, in most cases, gold plated C. This was the entire process of mummification. From this, we will loom at the reasons behind mummification and what people were often mummified in ancient Egypt III. To the people in ancient Egypt, mummification implied a wealthy (earthly) status and an equally splendid life after death A. At the onset, only the pharaohs, revered by their subjects as earth’s living god kings, were able to afford the costly expenditures of mummification 1. Carney (2009) observes, however, that as time went on, the process was perfected, and being better comprehended, became more affordable. The nobility and the wealthy of the land would then also be mummified along with the pharaohs, and soon afterwards, craftsmen and artisans too 2. Yet still, only on rare occasions were the poor mummified because the practice was associated with the wealthy and elite B. I suppose the lingering question in most minds right now is why someone would go through the lengths of investing their whole life savings on a service they would only obtain in death 1. The people of ancient Egypt did so because they believed that the soul was immortal 2. They also believed that the body was a direct link to the soul, and vice-versa 3. In this line of belief, therefore, according to them, someone who desired everlasting life after death had to preserve their corpses and so enable the soul’s survival C. Egyptians of old held the belief that the soul triune, consisting of the akh, the ba, and the ka 1. The ka part of the soul dwelled in the tomb, and was the reason why mummified corpses were sent off with several items 2. The ba referred to the main part of the soul that was free to move about. Because of the ba, the body had to be prevented from rotting away since the wandering ba, upon returning to the tomb, would be unable to recognize the body, and so be doomed into oblivion and become eternally lost 3. The akh was that which went on into the life after death for judgment 4. Ancient Egyptians were very much obsessed with matters death and the life after it so that some could spend the entirety of their actual lives on earth preparing wealth for mummification. With the gradual perfection of the art of mummification, millions of these corpses have survived through the centuries, thus enabling mankind to discover a lot about the cultures of these ancient peoples IV. As cited by Malam (2003), the way a culture treated their dead would portend the way they lived their lives A. It therefore follows that we can discern a lot about the belief system of the ancient Egyptians from their mummification rites, their idea of the soul, and the mummy blessing by the priests 1. Moreover, there exist telling paintings of Egyptian gods and the lifestyles of ancient Egyptians in the tombs of dead ones 2. From these sampled tool paintings, we can also underline that ancient Egyptians were polytheistic, that is, they worshipped and recognized numerous (up to 3,000) gods 3. We also derive from the drawings that Egyptian gods were predominantly demonstrated as half animal, half human B. Apart from this rich subject of religion, we can equally decipher a lot concerning the life of the corpse on earth 1. University of Illinois’ Michael Li dissected and studied mummies in his dissertation work. He paid much attention to the teeth, particularly noting its condition of wear, in order to determine the diet of the mummy 2. From his observations, the mummies’ teeth were quickly worn out in the life of the person as result of a course diet 3. It was thus noted that sand would find its way into their foods, such as through grounded corn bread which would wear down their teeth C. We have also been able to learn about a host of diseases that commonly plagued the Egyptian by analyzing these mummies and the other organs such as the brain that would be stored in the special jars 1. From this discourse, cleft palate, leprosy and club foot were found to be widespread in the mummies 2. Consequently, such corpse preservations have enabled the modern world better insight regarding past civilizations – feats that would have otherwise been difficult minus such aids V. As Gessler-Löhr reckons, mummification and mummies remain one of the most prominent topics in mankind’s history A. The art of mummification’s sharp contrast with modern burial practices makes it one of the most interesting subjects of history 1. To ancient Egyptians, mummification was sacred and glorious, yet in our minds it compares only to an extreme horror movie 2. Compared to current systems of democracy and westernization, this ancient style of life, its religion, and perception of social achievement remain in stark contrast B. Yet, the human race must always seek to understand its history from various cultures and regions 1. Mummies therefore offer a great avenue towards unraveling the history of ancient Egyptians. 2. Thank you. Works Cited Carney, Elizabeth. Mummies. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic, 2009. Print. Gessler-Löhr, Beatrix. "Mummies and Mummification." Oxford Handbooks Online (2012). Print. Hawass, Zahi A., and Kenneth Garrett. Hidden Treasures of Ancient Egypt: Unearthing the Masterpieces of Egyptian History. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic, 2004. Print. Malam, John. Mummies. Boston: Kingfisher, 2003. Print. Read More