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 art of preserving bodies is the process in which the skin and flesh of a corpse can be preserved. This method of keeping bodies intact can occur naturally or be done intentionally by humans. Natural mummification occurs when exposed to particular environments, such as glacial climates, acidic bogs, or dry environments. A notable type of intentional mummification originated in Egyptian history, where corpses were covered in bandages to preserve their bodies and keep the body for the afterlife.

Mummies, whether human or animal, have been discovered on every continent, often because of natural preservation or intentional rituals. Throughout Egypt, more than a million animal mummies have been found, many of them cats. The method of mummification in ancient Egypt was highly ceremonial. They removed the brain through the nose, and extracted most internal organs, keeping only the heart inside the body. This was because Egyptians believed the heart was central to the afterlife rituals. The removed organs were placed in canopic jars, which were buried with the mummy.

Today, mummification has taken on a new form in certain BDSM practices. Here, the practice of wrapping the body is used in a role-playing context, where one person, playing the role of the "slave," is completely wrapped by another, the "master." The nose is left uncovered to allow for air. The materials used for this wrapping range from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Although this practice shares the name, its purpose in BDSM is focused on controlling the body and not about preserving the body.

**In summary**

Mummification has evolved significantly from its origins in ancient burial rituals to contemporary practices in alternative lifestyles. Although its original intention was about preserving the body for the journey to the next life, the contemporary practice centers on role-playing. Even though they are different, both forms of mummification reveal a fascination with control, whether it is over death or through interpersonal dynamics.