Egypt and Mummies

December 12, 2013

Pyramids Buildings for the dead Built for the burial of kings of Egypt, also

known as pharaohs Furnished rooms for the afterlife

Egyptian Afterlife Humans had two bodies: physical and

spiritual IF the physical body was properly

preserved, the spiritual body (ka) could return and continue life

Osiris – god who judged the dead Confess the good and the bad and

he weighs your heart

Mummification Process that slowly dries physical

body after death to prevent rotting Expensive…only the rich could afford

it Essential for a lively afterlife

Mummification Process: Act 1 Step 1: Remove the brain through the

nostrils with iron hook Step 2: Incision to remove internal

organs Step 3: Place the Stomach, Intestines, Lungs and Liver in four jars Canopic Jars

Mummification: Act 2 Step 4: Cover corpse with natural salt

that absorbs body’s water Step 5: Fill body with spices and wrap

in linen. Step 6: Cover with cool mask and

place in closet (sarcophagus)

What to Bring? Tombs were filled with items needed

for the afterlife Food, prayer books, furniture,

statues Chariot for King Tut

Idea was that these items would follow spirit into afterlife

Ramesses II Greatest Egyptian Pharaoh Enriched Egypt through supplies and

riches of other empires Buried in Valley of the Kings but later

moved due to looting

King Tut Tutankhamun Married half-

sister Reigned from

age of 9 to 19 Death was a

mystery until recently