How did Egypt mummify their dead?
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This they did by covering the body with natron, a type of salt which has great drying properties, and by placing additional natron packets inside the body. When the body had dried out completely, embalmers removed the internal packets and lightly washed the natron off the body.
Who was the first Egyptian to be mummified?
The mummified body of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh has been studied for the first time in millennia after being digitally “unwrapped”. The mummy of Amenhotep I, who ruled from 1525 to 1504 BC, was found at a site in Deir el-Bahari 140 years ago.
What are the 7 steps of mummification in ancient Egypt?

The 7 Steps of Mummification
- STEP 1: ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEATH.
- STEP 2: EMBALMING THE BODY. …
- STEP 3: REMOVAL OF THE BRAIN. …
- STEP 4: INTERNAL ORGANS REMOVED. …
- STEP 5: DRYING THE BODY OUT. …
- STEP 6: WRAPPING THE BODY. …
- STEP 6: WRAPPING THE BODY CONTINUED. …
- STEP 7: FINAL PROCESSION.
Why did the mummification process take 70 days?
“The heart was always left inside,” Lucarelli said, “because the Egyptians believed it was the most important aspect of the person in that it contained the intellect.” The deceased was then covered in salt for 70 days to remove all moisture. After 70 days had passed, the body was washed and wrapped in linen.

What are mummies in Egypt?
To make sure their souls were safe, rich Egyptians arranged for their bodies to be preserved after death. These preserved bodies are called mummies, and some are still intact to this day. The mummies of the pharaohs were buried in rich coffins, often surrounded by gold and jewels.
What happened to the mummies of ancient Egypt?
The mummies of pharaohs were placed in ornate stone coffins called sarcophaguses. They were then buried in elaborate tombs filled with everything they’d need for the afterlife such as vehicles, tools, food, wine, perfume, and household items. Some pharaohs were even buried with pets and servants.
Which pharaoh mummies have been found?
Identified
Name | Alias | Year discovered |
---|---|---|
Ramesses I | Ramses | 1817 |
Ramesses II | Ramesses the Great | 1881 |
Ramesses III | Usimare Ramesses III | 1886 |
Ramesses IV | Heqamaatre Ramesses IV | 1898 |
Why was the mummification process so important?
The ancient Egyptians mummified their dead because they believed that the physical body would be important in the next life. Thus, preserving the body in as lifelike a way as possible was the goal of mummification.
What are the 4 steps of mummification?
It was a blend of science and ceremony, as the body was preserved and believed to be prepared for the afterlife.
- Step 1: Prepare the Body.
- Step 2: Dry the Body.
- Step 3: Restore the Body.
- Step 4: Wrap the Body.
- Step 5: Say Goodbye.
What is the order of mummification?
The first step in the Egyptian mummification process was washing the body with water from the Nile River, which was sacred because it helped their crops grow. The next step was removing the brain, using a brain hook. They discarded the brain. Next, the priests would remove other internal organs.