A mummy is the body of an animal or person that has been preserved for life after death. The oldest Egyptians from before 25000 B.C. were not embalmed at all, but still, they were thought to be gods. Jewelry and pottery were put in graves for the dead to use.

The Egyptians believed in life after death and wanted to make sure their people were prepared for the afterlife. The appearance of the dead were preserved in masks that were created for them. The Egyptians also provided almost every aspect of that person's life in the tomb. Each person was buried with an assortment of objects for use in the afterlife. People were to be treated in death as they were in life.

People said that the dead Pharaoh King Tut was very angry and "cursed" all those that disturbed his rest. Lord Caron (one of the men that discovered King Tut's tomb) was bitten by a mosquito and became infected and he soon died after reopening it, helping to prove the curse. Considering how popular and famous Tutankkamun has become because his tomb was found, Tutankkamun should be happy since he has been found and he should not be angry. The king's mask was made of pure gold with colorful glass and stones. It weighed 22.5 lb. The case weighed 245 lbs.

Important officials who could not afford scargophagus might purchase an outer coffin to be put in.