How to make a mummy - Ancient Egyptians

The Ancient Egyptians believed that, if your dead body rotted or was damaged in this world, your spirit would suffer in the afterlife. Rich Egyptians arranged for their bodies to be preserved after death. Their techniques worked so well that many of these mummies are still intact to this day.

1.REMOVING ORGANS
After washing the body in wine, priests removed the internal organs. Special hooks were used to pull the brain out through the nostrils. The heart was left behind, since the Ancient Egyptians believed it was the home of soul.

2.DRYING OUT THE BODY
The hollowed-out body was packed with bags of natron, a natural salt that drew water out of the flesh. It was left like this for 40 days while the natron did its work

3.WASHING THE CORPSE
Once the body had completely dried out, it was washed in wine to remove the salt, then packed with sawdust and resin-soaked line. The skin was rubbed with oils and perfumes, and often painted with resin for extra protection.

4.WRAPPING IN BANDAGES
The next stage was to wrap the mummy in layers of bandages. Amulets (pieces of jewellery with magical powers) were included to keep the spirit safe on its journey to the next world. The finishing touch was a decorated mask.

5.INTO THE COFFIN
The mummy was placed in a coffin, or sarcophagus, which was painted or carved with a likeness of the dead person. The mummies of rich people were enclosed in several coffins, which in turn sat inside large wooden shrines.

6.THE FUNERAL
Exactly 70 days after death, the mummy was laid to rest. A procession would carry the coffin and burial goods to the tomb, often sealing them away so that robbers could not break in.