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

Wiki Article

Mummification refers to the method in which the body of a deceased person are preserved. This method of keeping bodies intact can happen through natural means or be carried out by humans. Natural mummification occurs under specific conditions, such as glacial climates, acidic bogs, or dry climates. One of the most famous forms of intentional mummification comes from Egyptian civilization, where corpses were wrapped in bandages to stop decomposition and keep the body for the afterlife.

Mummies, whether human or animal, have been found in many parts of the world, often due to natural preservation or ritualistic preservation. In Egypt, over one million animal mummies have been found, many of them cats. The Egyptian mummification techniques was rich in ritual. 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 was central to the afterlife rituals. The removed organs were stored in canopic jars, which were buried with the mummy.

In contemporary practices, mummification has taken on a new form as part of certain BDSM communities. Here, the concept of mummification has become a form of role-play, where one person, known as the "slave," is bound tightly by another, the "master." Only the nostrils are left exposed to ensure oxygen flow. The materials used for this wrapping can include duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Although this practice is still called mummification, in this case is primarily about restraint and control and not about preservation.

**Conclusion**

Mummification has evolved significantly from its origins in ancient Egyptian death practices to contemporary practices in alternative lifestyles. Though its ancient goal focused on preserving the body for the journey to the next life, the modern interpretation is about control and role-play. Even though they are different, both forms of mummification reflect a deep human interest in control, whether controlling life or death or within social relationships.