Describe briefly the process of mummification and why it was used in ancient egypt

Egyptians believed the life did not end when a person died but that it continued. They believed the pharaoh would become god or goddess after his death that is why they were buried with their servants and their treasures for the afterlife. Only rich people and pharaohs could be mummified in Egypt as their religion dictated. The process followed several steps and was done by a priest with the mask of the god Anubis. The first step was to remove the internal organs of the body, the brain and then the organs of the lower part of the body. Secondly, rinse inside the body with wine and spices and place the organs in canopic jars (liver, lungs, intestine and stomach which previously have been dried) except for the heart which was to be weigh in afterlife by the god Anubis to decide if the person was good or bad. The heart was left in the body. Thirdly, the body was coverd with natron (salt) for 70 days. Finally, the body was wrap with bandages and placed in a sarcophagus.

Mummification happens in two stages. embalming and wrapping. in embalming the body is washed with oils and all internal organs except the heart are removed (heart being the centre of intelligence and emotion the dead will need it for the after life). using a long hook the embalmer enters the skull through the nose and smashes up the brain and removes it. the body is dried out for 40 days with natron then washed with oils again. each of the removed organs are placed in canopic jars each with a different god's head to watch over specific organs. wrapping starts by wrapping the head and neck in fine linen the fingers and toes wrapped individually as with the body arms and legs then the embalmers and layer upon layer of linen with resin on it to act as glue and cover the entire body all the while putting different symbols and wards to protect and help the body in the afterlife. ancient Egyptians used mummification as a way to prepare the dead for the after life during which they may use all their worldly possessions.