Mummies unwrapped
Discover the wonder of Egyptian mummification as we unravel the secrets of these carefully preserved corpses
Unravel the secrets of the ancient Egyptian art of mummification
Mummification was an embalming process undertaken by the ancient Egyptians. They believed that by preserving a body, its soul could live on in the afterlife. Embalmers offered various packages, which included a basic, standard and luxury version. Even so, it was only the rich that could afford to mummify their dead and thereafter place them in an elaborate tomb. Ordinary civilians were buried in pit graves, and some of these bodies were naturally dried.
Mummification was an elaborate and lengthy process that took 70 days. Violation of the body was abhorred, however, so the first incision performed on the corpse was made by a ‘scapegoat’, who was then ritually stoned and chased from the embalming chamber.
Afterwards the intestines, lungs, stomach and liver were removed – these were mummified and placed in special containers called canopic jars. The brain was pulverised with a long, narrow instrument and drained through the nose or the back of the skull. The heart, which was then known as the seat of learning, was left inside the body. During the mummification process the priests would venerate the dead; they would light incense, recite prayers and invoke aid and protection from ancient Egyptian gods. Once cleansed, the body was then ready to be dried.
The ancient Egyptians placed the body in natron salts, which absorbed all its moisture. After a period of 40 days it was removed and packed with herbs, oils and spices, which were known to cleanse and preserve the cavities. If extra body parts were needed the corpse was equipped with false wooden limbs, or eyes made of obsidian. It was then ready for bandaging. Each limb was carefully tended to. Fingers and toes were treated individually, and golden caps were placed on the nails. In order to protect it, a large number of amulets were left on specific parts of the body. Often garlands of leaves or berries, which were thought to have rejuvenating properties, were placed around the neck. The hair was dressed with oils and jewellery. Due to heat and lice the ancient Egyptians shaved their heads, so elaborate wigs – which were made of human hair – were placed on the deceased. Make-up was applied, and the body was dressed in fine clothes and adornments. While women were buried with combs and pottery, men were armed with daggers or swords. These were placed either on the body or within the wrappings.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Egyptology was in its infancy. Many early excavators ignored human remains. The first archaeologists were more interested in treasure than mummies, and even the body of Tutankhamun was subjected to trauma. Although Howard Carter was a brilliant excavator, he couldn’t have imagined the
“Only the rich could afford to mummify their dead and place them in an elaborate tomb”
wonders that the dead could reveal. Nor did he envisage that innovations in science would enable us to make important new discoveries about ancient Egyptian mummies. Despite this, the world was now fascinated. In Victorian times the unwrapping of an Egyptian mummy – which often took place in affluent drawing rooms – would be followed by tea, cake and polite conversation.
Thankfully times have changed, and the first scientific unwrapping of a mummy took place in Manchester when Margaret Murray examined the two brothers, Khnum-nakht and Nekhtankh, in 1908. Manchester continues its strong association with the scientific study of mummies. It is here that Professor Rosalie David conducted many innovative investigations into ancient diseases. In 1979 she established the International Mummy Database, which employs endoscopy and serological studies, X-ray examinations and MRI scans. Perhaps the most important investigation into ancient mummies was undertaken in Paris between 1976 and 1977, when the mummy of Ramesses II was met at Orly Airport and treated like a visiting head of state. A team of over 100 scientists, including botanists, microbiologists and anthropologists, worked on his body and published startling new evidence about mummification techniques.
Examinations that employ DNA sampling are now used in mummy studies. While the practice is still limited, it can enable Egyptologists to identify, establish and study family groups. We are now able to shed light on the everyday life of the ancient Egyptians, going on to analyse dental hygiene, hair dyes and make-up. When examining mummies we are now able to study textiles, jewellery, oils and even head lice – the oldest ‘nits’ in the world were found on a Manchester mummy. From these examinations we can learn a great deal about the diseases, afflictions and the general aches and pains of all classes of people, and we can even identify trauma wounds, arthritis and polio. With the invention of new scanning techniques, the destructive process of ‘unwrapping’ a mummy is now a thing of the past. What remains constant, however, is that mummies continue to fascinate, excite and inspire us.