The Art and Evolution of Mummification From Ancient Egypt to Modern Practices

The Art and Evolution of Mummification From Ancient Egypt to Modern Practices

Blog Article

The art of preserving bodies describes how through which the skin and flesh of a dead body can remain intact. This method of keeping bodies intact may happen naturally or be performed through human intervention. Natural mummification happens when exposed to particular environments, such as freezing temperatures, acidic bogs, or arid conditions. A notable type of intentional mummification is from ancient Egypt, where corpses were covered in bandages to stop decomposition and keep the body for the afterlife.

Mummified remains, both human and animal, have been found in many parts of the world, often because of natural preservation or cultural practices. Within Egypt, in excess of a million mummified animals have been found, a significant number being cats. The process of Egyptian mummification was rich in ritual. Egyptians would extract the brain using a hook through the nasal cavity, and removed all major internal organs, leaving only the heart. This was because the heart was crucial for the "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony. The other organs were put into canopic jars, which were included in the burial.

In contemporary practices, mummification is being used differently in certain BDSM practices. Here, the concept of mummification has become a form of role-play, where one person, playing the role of the "slave," is bound tightly by another, the "master." Only the nostrils are left exposed to ensure oxygen flow. The items used to wrap the body range from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Although this practice shares the name, in the BDSM context is primarily about controlling the body instead of preservation.

**In summary**

Mummification has evolved significantly from its beginning in early death rituals to modern-day practices in alternative lifestyles. Although its original intention was to preserve the body for the afterlife, the modern interpretation is about control and role-play. Though these two forms differ, both forms of mummification reflect a deep human interest in control, whether it is over death or through interpersonal dynamics.