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

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

Blog Article

Mummification refers to the method in which the skin and flesh of a deceased person can remain intact. This method of keeping bodies intact can occur naturally or be carried out by humans. Bodies are naturally preserved when exposed to particular environments, such as freezing temperatures, acidic environments, or dry environments. A notable type of intentional mummification originated in Egyptian history, where the deceased were covered in bandages to stop decomposition and preserve the body for the next world.

Preserved bodies, both human and animal, have been unearthed on every continent, often because of natural preservation or cultural practices. Within Egypt, over one million animal mummies have been uncovered, many of them cats. The Egyptian mummification techniques was highly ceremonial. Egyptians would extract the brain using a hook through the nasal cavity, and took out most of the body's organs, keeping only the heart inside the body. This was because the heart was central to the afterlife rituals. The removed organs were put into canopic jars, which were included in the burial.

In contemporary practices, mummification has taken on a new form in certain BDSM communities. Here, the idea of mummifying is part of role-playing scenarios, where one person, known as the "slave," is completely wrapped by another, the "master." The nose is left uncovered to ensure oxygen flow. The materials used for this wrapping can include duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Though the activity is still called mummification, in the BDSM context is primarily about controlling the body instead of maintaining the body's condition.

**To conclude**

Mummification has transformed from its origins in ancient Egyptian death practices to present-day practices in subcultures like BDSM. Though its ancient goal was about preserving the body for the afterlife, the modern interpretation centers on role-playing. Even though they are different, both forms of mummification reflect a deep human interest in control, whether it is over death or through interpersonal dynamics.