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| Step 1.
The first step in the mummification process was to announce the death. If someone died the people needed to know. A messenger went out into the street to announce the death. This way the people could get ready for mourning and ceremony. Step 2. The second step was to embalm the body. The embalmers worked in special buildings. These buildings were called embalming workshops, and were maintained by teams of priests. Because of the horrible smell the priests would sometimes have to step outside to get away from it. Step 3. The first organ to be removed was the brain. Egyptians didn't know the purpose of the brain, a hook was inserted through the nose. The embalmers pulled out as much as they could, then they put it in water to dissolve. Some people think the water was thrown out, but others think the water was taken with the mummy to the burial chamber. Step 4. Next the liver, lungs, stomach, and intestines were removed. A small slit was made on the left side of the abdomen, and then the embalmers reached in and pulled out the internal organs. Each one of the organs was individually mummified then stored in little coffins called canopic jars. Once the internal organs were removed, the inside of the body was washed out with palm oil, lotions, and preserving fluids. Next the body was stuffed with linen, straw, or other packing material to keep the general shape of the person. Sometimes the embalmers were careless and either stuffed too much and made the mummy look puffy, or too little and made the mummy look disfigured. There were four canopic jars, one for each of the organs. The jars were protected by the four sons of Horus. Imset protected the liver; he had the head of a human. Ha'py protected the lungs; he had the head of a baboon. Duamutef looked after the stomach; he had the head of a jackal. Qebehsenuef looked over the intestines; he had the head of a falcon. Step 5. The fifth step was to dry out the mummy. The body was placed on a slab and covered with either nacron or natron salt. The slab was tilted so that the water would run off into a basin. This removed moisture and prevented rotting. The body was taken outside and let dry for about 40 days. After the body was completely dried out, the rapping of the body began. Step 6. Wrapping of the body was a painstaking process. The body was rubbed with oils, and a gold piece with the Eye of Horus was pl used to wrap the body, and each toe and finger was wrapped separately. Charms, amulets, and inscribed pieces of papyrus were placed between each layer over the slit in the abdomen. Hundreds of yards of linen were used of bandage. Egyptians believed that these charms had magical properties that would protect and bring good luck to the body. The Eye of Horus, the symbol of protection, was used often. The wrapping process would be stopped every once in a while so that the priest could say a certain prayers and write on the linen. A final shroud was placed on the mummy to keep all wrappings together. Mummia was added to shroud (glue) it all together. Sometimes false eyes were inserted and make-up applied. Then a painted portrait mask was placed over the mummies head so that dead person's soul (Ka) could recognize its owner. The mummy was then taken into a painted coffin. |