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

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

Blog Article

Mummification refers to the method in which the skin and flesh of a corpse can be preserved. This method of keeping bodies intact may happen naturally or be done intentionally by humans. Natural mummification occurs in certain environments, such as freezing temperatures, high acidity, or dry climates. One of the most famous forms of intentional mummification originated in Egyptian civilization, where the dead were covered in bandages to stop decomposition and preserve the body for the next world.

Preserved bodies, both human and animal, have been unearthed in many parts of the world, often resulting from natural preservation or intentional rituals. In Egypt, in excess of a million mummified animals have been uncovered, many of them cats. The process of Egyptian mummification was rich in ritual. The brain was removed using a hook through the nasal cavity, and removed all major internal organs, leaving only the heart. This was due to the belief that the heart was central to the ceremony in the afterlife. The removed organs were stored in canopic jars, which were laid to rest with the body.

Today, mummification has evolved into a new practice within certain BDSM subcultures. Here, the concept of mummification has become a form of role-play, where one person, known as the "slave," is bound tightly by another, the "master." The nose is left uncovered to ensure oxygen flow. The wrapping materials vary from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Though the activity shares the name, its purpose in BDSM is primarily about domination and restraint instead of preserving the body.

**Conclusion**

Mummification has evolved significantly from its roots in ancient Egyptian death practices to contemporary practices in alternative lifestyles. While the traditional purpose was about preserving the body for the journey to the next life, the modern interpretation centers on role-playing. Though these two forms differ, both forms of mummification demonstrate a shared human interest in mastery, whether it is over death or within social relationships.