We all surely know that mummification is the only method to preserve a deceased body from decomposition through a special process. Mummification has been practiced in Egypt since 4000 BC and remains common to this day. Some socialist countries such as Vietnam, China, North Korea, the former Soviet Union, and most recently Venezuela have either had or started researching mummification with the aim of preserving the remains of their leaders permanently. In contrast, some Western countries utilize mummification for different purposes, such as delaying the natural deterioration of the body, to preserve the corpse for a short time before cremation or burial, rather than to keep the body forever.
>>> The Secrets to Eternal Mummification
The First Mummy
The ancient Egyptians were the first to practice mummification as early as 4000 BC. They wrapped the deceased body in linen and then burned it in a mixture of charcoal and sand sourced from the Nile River. For the Egyptians, mummification was a religiously ceremonial preparation before burying the dead and preparing for life after death.
The Egyptians believed in immortality and resurrection after death. Therefore, the deceased’s body needed to be preserved in the freshest condition possible, to enable the soul to reunite with its body, heart, and intellect. Of course, today, people are familiar with Egyptian mummies appearing in movies due to the sophisticated and effective mummification techniques that have made them famous. According to scientific estimates, by the time the Egyptians ceased mummification around 700 AD, they had mummified approximately 730 million bodies.
Today, we have a better understanding of the mummification process of the Egyptians, through the descriptions of the Greek historian Herodotus in the 5th century AD:
1. The brain and internal organs had to be removed from the body and soaked in palm wine. These parts were then stored in special herb jars.
2. The remaining body was then treated with aromatic resin powders and other resins along with perfume before being sewn up.
3. Next, the body was preserved in sodium nitrate for 70 days.
4. After 70 days, the corpse was washed clean again and wrapped in the bandages commonly seen on mummies in films and games, then dipped in adhesive substances.
5. Once processed, the mummy would be placed in a coffin and buried.
However, the above process was only conducted for members of the noble families, while for other social classes, the process was simpler. For instance, the corpse would be injected with oil extracted from cedar trees and soaked in sodium nitrate for a shorter time. Afterward, the cedar oil would be extracted along with some of the flesh, while the skin and bones were retained. For the poorest families in society, the intestines were removed, and the body was soaked in sodium nitrate for a shorter duration.
Mummification in Other Ancient Civilizations
The Egyptians were the first to mummify the dead, and they spread this custom to nearby civilizations. The Assyrians used honey, while the Persians used wax for mummification. After becoming popular in African and Asian countries, mummification began to reach the borders of Europe. However, each region had its own mummification techniques.
– The Guanche, the indigenous people of the Canary Islands, removed soft internal organs and filled the empty parts of the body with salt and powder made from local plants.
– The Jivaro tribe in Ecuador and Peru employed a different technique by smoking the dead body over a small fire, believing this would maintain immortality.
– Tibetans still use a traditional mummification technique today, keeping the entire corpse in a large box filled with salt for three months.
However, some ancient civilizations did not adopt the Egyptian practice. The Jews, Babylonians, and Sumerians rarely mummified the dead.
Chemical Mummification
However, by the medieval period in Europe, the practice of mummification declined. The reason was that mummification techniques became expensive as they required herbs and other materials that even many noble families could not afford. Additionally, there were many religious oppositions against this practice. Nonetheless, at certain times, the reason lay in the need for a “pause” to elevate mummification techniques to a higher level.
Mummification techniques made significant advancements during the Renaissance. The Renaissance was a cultural movement that profoundly impacted the intellectual life of Europe during the early modern period. Originating in Italy and spreading throughout Europe in the 16th century, its influence was present in literature, philosophy, fine arts, music, politics, science, religion, and other aspects of spiritual life. During this period, people turned their attention to science in general and the human body. The renowned Renaissance scientist Leonardo da Vinci developed a method that allowed the injection of substances into the human bloodstream, laying the foundation for chemical mummification.
Following da Vinci’s time, Dutch anatomist Fredrik Ruysch is regarded as the first to mummify using the method of injecting chemicals into the body. By the 19th century, the French and Italians made significant advancements in mummification technology using chemicals injected directly into the bloodstream. This method proved superior to previous techniques as it effectively preserved all parts of the deceased. During this period, common chemicals used included arsenic, zinc chloride, copper sulfate, potassium carbonate, aluminum sulfate, and mercuric dichloride.
Modern Mummification
Modern embalmers are specialists in anatomy, pathology, microbiology, chemistry, and aesthetics. In the United States, to participate in this profession, candidates must complete training in these fields and obtain a certificate before entering the profession. So what does the mummification process entail?
The mummification process requires considerable time and effort. Each case requires different handling, such as disinfection, preservation, and restoration requirements. However, in general, the modern mummification process includes the following basic steps:
1. The corpse is placed on a flat table after being thoroughly washed.
2. The embalming solution is pumped into the blood vessels through a small tube connected to the embalming machine. This solution is a mixture of water and preservatives such as formaldehyde, which draws out moisture and dries the cells. The presence of these substances makes it harder for microorganisms and bacteria to develop on the body due to unfavorable environmental conditions.
3. The amount of embalming solution used varies depending on the case. On average, about 3.8 liters of solution is needed for every 22.7 kg of body weight.
4. Blood is then drained from the circulatory system.
5. Blood vessels are tied off, and incisions are sutured.
6. The empty spaces inside the body are treated by removing any remaining fluids and gases, while more embalming fluid from step 2 is injected.
7. The deceased is washed and dressed.
8. Makeup is applied to restore the deceased’s appearance.
Throughout the mummification process, the embalmer must be extremely careful and gentle when adjusting the embalming solution and removing internal organs, as even slight rough handling can cause rapid dehydration and bloating of the body.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Modern Mummification
To this day, there remains much debate surrounding the practice of embalming. Supporters argue that embalming provides families and loved ones with time to arrange funeral services and transport the deceased from distant locations (such as from a battlefield, for example). Additionally, embalming helps eliminate the risk of infectious diseases that can arise from decomposing bodies. This is particularly crucial when the deceased is a victim of a car accident or a chronic illness, as embalming allows for the restoration of the individual to their most intact and lifelike state, thereby alleviating some of the grief for their family.
Conversely, opponents of embalming cite religious and environmental reasons. Orthodox Jews and Muslims do not embalm their deceased, while Buddhists and Hindus advocate for cremation.
From an environmental perspective, embalming involves the use of formaldehyde, a highly toxic substance classified as a potential carcinogen. Therefore, those who perform embalming must undergo training and use protective equipment while working. Moreover, the improper disposal of formaldehyde into the environment raises significant concerns. Each year in the United States, the amount of embalming fluid that seeps into the ground could fill the equivalent of eight standard Olympic-sized swimming pools. Furthermore, land is limited, making it challenging to find sufficient space to store embalmed bodies. Nevertheless, it is difficult to deny the benefits that embalming provides. It is important to emphasize that today, embalming is primarily for short-term purposes, serving as a preparation method for funerals (except in certain cases for memorial purposes) rather than being driven by religious or spiritual reasons as it was in ancient times.
