Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Ancient Traditions to Contemporary Methods

Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Ancient Traditions to Contemporary Methods

Blog Article

The process of mummification describes how through which the skin and flesh of a corpse are preserved. This preservation can occur naturally or be done intentionally by humans. Natural mummification happens under specific conditions, such as freezing temperatures, high acidity, or dry environments. One well-known example of intentional mummification comes from Egyptian history, where corpses were covered in bandages to preserve their bodies and maintain the corpse for the journey to the afterlife.

Mummies, including humans and animals, have been unearthed in many parts of the world, often resulting from natural preservation or intentional rituals. In Egypt, more than a million animal mummies have been uncovered, many of them cats. The process of Egyptian mummification was very symbolic. The brain was removed using a hook through the nasal cavity, and extracted most internal organs, except for the heart. This was because Egyptians believed the heart was crucial for the "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony. The removed organs were stored in canopic jars, which were buried with the mummy.

In modern times, mummification has taken on a new form within certain BDSM practices. Here, the concept of mummification has become a form of role-play, where one person, playing the role of the "slave," is bound tightly by another, the "master." The nose is left uncovered for breathing. The items used to wrap the body range from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. While the practice retains the term mummification, in the BDSM context centers around domination and restraint and not about preserving the body.

**In summary**

Mummification has evolved significantly from its roots in early death rituals to modern-day practices in alternative lifestyles. Although its original intention was to preserve the body for the journey to the next life, the contemporary practice centers on role-playing. Though these two forms differ, both forms of mummification reflect a deep human interest in control, whether it is over death or through interpersonal dynamics.