Mummies. 1)In one word, what kind of religious beliefs did the ancient Egyptians have? 2)What is a scarab? 3)Approximately how many gods did the ancient.

Lesson #13Mummies

CHECK YOURSELF…..1) In one word, what kind of religious beliefs did the ancient

Egyptians have?

2) What is a scarab?

3) Approximately how many gods did the ancient Egyptians believe in?

4) Name something that was unusual about some Egyptian gods?

5) What is the KA?

6) Why did ancient Egyptians mummify their bodies?

The EmbalmerA priest who performed the process of making a mummy in ancient

Egypt. He wore the mask of Anubis during the process.

AssistantsAs seen here, the priest did not work alone and assistants helped in the

process.

THE WASHING OF THE BODY

Step one was the “purification” of the body. It is washed on a special table and then covered in nice smelling palm oils. This was done by

the assistants.

REMOVING THE ORGANS

Step two was to remove the organs through a small cut made on the left side of the abdomen. The stomach, liver, lungs and intestines were

all removed through this cut.

NATRON

A salt mineral that was used to dry out the body. Wrapping the body and its organs removed the water from the body.

CANOPIC JARSThe organs were dried in

natron for weeks before being placed in a canopic jar. These would be buried in the tomb

with the body.

The heart stayed in the body. Egyptians thought

that this was the source of life and that it needed to remain inside in order for

the KA to return.

THE BRAINThe brain was removed using a special tool that

went through the nose. It was thrown away as it was

not thought to be important.

COVERING IN NATRON

The body would stay buried in this for many weeks.

THE WRAPPING

After drying, the body was then wrapped in linen strips (not toliet paper!). Spells and amulets were placed on the strips to protect the

body.

WERE YOU GOING TO THE AFTERLIFE?

Anubis weighed your heart against an ostrich feather to determine whether you were worthy enough to go to the afterlife. If your heart

was heavier than the feather, it was eaten by a creature and the KA was lost forever. If it wasn’t heavier, the KA was allowed to go back to it’s

body.

THE COFFIN

Most were wooden. Only the rich had them made of gold.

THE COFFIN

How much money have you

got?

KING TUT’S COFFIN!

KING TUT’S SCARAB!