MUMMIFICATION, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY

STEP 1: PURIFICATIONThis is when the body was cleaned and washed by spices and wine by embalmers, before they rinsed it with water from the nile.

STEP 2: REMOVAL OF THE ORGANSThe brain was the first organ to be removed, a long hook was used to smash the brain into liquid, so it could be taken out through the nose.After removal of the brain an incision was made on the left side of the body where the liver, lungs, stomach and intestines were then removed. The heart however was not removed.

Next, the body was then stuffed and covered with natron (a natural salt), and placed on a tilted surface so any liquid that would drip from it could be collected and buried with the body. The same concept was used for any rags used in the dehydration process.

The internal organs which were removed were washed, packed in natron and wrapped in linen, then placed in canopic jars which were burried alongside with the mummy.

"Canopic Jars were used by the ancient Egyptian during the rituals of mummification processes. These were used as containers in which to hold the internal organs of the deceased that was going to be mummified."These jars were mainly made out of limestone.These, "jars were still buried with the mummy to symbolically protect the internal organs on their journey to the afterlife.""Imsety the human-headed god looks after the liver. Hapy the baboon-headed god looks after the lungs. Duamutef the jackal-headed god looks after the stomach Qebehsenuef the falcon-headed god looks after the intestines. "

After the dehydration process, which lasted 40 days, the body was washed with water from the Nile and to keep the skin soft and elastic, oil and fragrant spices were added inside and outside the body.

The aim here was to, "restore the body to as lifelike state as possible." So dry materials like sawdust and leaves were used to stuff the body in order to, "fill the cavity and make the preserved corpse regain the shape it had in life."After the body was treated, it was then accesorised with jewlery made of gold and gems.

The head and neck were the first areas to be wrapped, then the toes and fingers, and then the arms and legs were covered seperately, before they were tied together and a, "papyrus scroll with spells from the Book of the Dead was placed between the wrapped hands."Before the embalmers added another wrapping layer they placed amulets between them."nce this had been done a cloth was wrapped around the entire body with a picture of the god Osiris painted on its surface. Finally, a large cloth was wrapped around the entire mummy, attached with yet more strips of linen that ran from the top to the bottom of the mummy, as well as around its middle"

"After the wrapping was finished, the head of the mummy was covered with a portrait mask to make sure that the spirit would recognize it. The masked mummy was then placed in a series of gilded wooden coffins."

Ancient egypytians did not think much of the brain, they just thought of the brain as an organ which makes mucus and nothing else, therefore it was preserved within a canopic jar.

The heart was not remoed, "because it was believed to be the centre of intelligence and feeling: the dead will need this in the afterlife." Also it was believed to be weighrd in the afterlife, when the gods could then tell whether you were "good" in your life or not.

Alcohol is scientifically proven to be good sanitizers, therefore it was good for cleasing during ancient egypt.

Organs contained alot of water, therefore removing them speeded up the process of dehydration.

Oil is a great substance for moisturising, as it blocks out the water which can then leave your skin dry as it dries. Oil is also a god lubricant, therefore when aded to the body after cleansing it succeeded as making the skin softer.

"The embalmers placed amulets to protect the body in its journey through the underworld; a priest also aided this journey this journey by reading out spells while the mummy was being wrapped. "

"The Egyptians called it Natron because they found vast supplies of it in the Natron Valley's salt lakes. These lakes were linked to the Nile River via underground channels, but they were dry most of the year."

"When Natron comes in contact with moist materials, it acts as a drying agent, drawing the moisture out of the other material and into its own molecules.As a mineral, Natron had many other uses in Ancient Egypt besides for mummification. Artists mixed Natron with other minerals and oils to make the color known as "Egyptian Blue" that appears in so many recovered artifacts. Natron was also used to make glass and ceramics and as a soldering agent for binding precious metals (especially gold) together. Mixed with oil, Natron became a kind of soap. Mixed into a paste, Natron was used as a toothpaste and mouthwash. When mixed with salt, Natron could be used to preserve fish and meat for future meals. In many ways, Natron was a vital ingredient of civilization in Ancient Egypt."

an easily found natural resource, they even built the pyramids out of it since it was found easily

"Gold (nebu)Appearance: The hieroglyph for gold represents a golden collar with beads on its lower edge and hanging ends.Meaning: Gold was considered by the ancient Egyptians to be a divine and indestructible metal. It was associated with the brilliance of the sun. The sun god Re was called "the mountain of gold" and during the Old Kingdom, the Pharaoh was called "the Golden Horus. The skin of the deities was believed to be golden."

http://www.egyptianmyths.net/gold.htmhttp://uktv.co.uk/yesterday/stepbystep/aid/573145http://www.egyptologyonline.com/mummification.htmhttp://www.realbeer.com/jjpalmer/cleaning.html#alcohhttp://www.kingtutshop.com/freeinfo/Canopic-Jars.htm