Ancient Egyptians mummified their dead because they believed it was the way for the deceased to enjoy eternal life in the afterlife.
>>> Why Ancient Egyptians used multiple coffins for mummies
What is a Mummy?
A mummy is a human or animal body that has been preserved through intentional or accidental exposure to chemicals, extreme cold temperatures, very low humidity (such as in desert regions or continental climates), or lack of air while the body is submerged in a bog, thereby inhibiting or halting the decomposition process.
Mummies of humans and other animals have been found worldwide, and both are viewed as a form of natural preservation due to unusual environmental conditions. They are considered cultural artifacts with significant historical and archaeological value.
Reasons Ancient Egyptians Practiced Mummification
The legendary Nile River gave rise to one of the earliest and most magnificent civilizations in the world, known for its remarkable achievements in architecture, astronomy, and science. The methods used to construct the majestic pyramids or the reasons behind Egyptian mummification remain significant mysteries to scientists.
Scholars agree that ancient Egyptians believed a part of the human spirit would remain eternally linked to the physical body. Thus, it was essential to preserve the body to ensure the soul could thrive in the afterlife; if the body decomposed, the soul would not be whole.
Mummies have been preserved almost intact for thousands of years. (Photo: Discovery.com)
Researchers speculate that the idea of complete mummification arose by chance. The hot air and sand of the desert dried out buried corpses, helping them survive much longer than typical remains. It is likely that the ancient Egyptians discovered methods to dry out bodies using materials available to them.
The average lifespan of an ancient Egyptian was only about 40 years. Therefore, they believed that preparing for a long and happy life in the afterlife was truly significant. Mummification in ancient Egypt was not only a trend but also a clear indicator of social status.
The mummy is the refuge of the soul of ancient Egyptians in the afterlife. (Photo: Wikipedia)
However, mummification was not accessible to all Egyptians. The high costs made mummification a privilege for the wealthy and powerful in society. Pharaohs, royal family members, nobles, and the elite were certainly mummified, while those from the middle class had to pay for the service. Lower-class individuals had virtually no chance of being mummified.
Ancient Egyptians mummified approximately 70 million people over more than 3,000 years. However, very few mummies have been found as they were damaged over time due to poor preservation or human intervention for scientific purposes. Additionally, many mummies were harmed by tomb robbers.
