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 describes how by which the skin and flesh of a corpse can be preserved. This process of preservation can happen through natural means or be done intentionally by humans. Natural mummification occurs when exposed to particular environments, such as freezing temperatures, acidic environments, or dry climates. One well-known example of intentional mummification comes from ancient Egypt, where the deceased were covered in bandages to stop decomposition and maintain the corpse for the afterlife.

Mummified remains, whether human or animal, have been discovered on every continent, often because of natural preservation or intentional rituals. Within Egypt, more than a million animal mummies have been discovered, many of them cats. The method of mummification in ancient Egypt was very symbolic. The brain was removed using a hook through the nasal cavity, and took out most of the body's organs, keeping only the heart inside the body. This was because the heart was central to the ceremony in the afterlife. All other organs were placed in canopic jars, which were included in the burial.

In contemporary practices, mummification has taken on a new form within certain BDSM practices. Here, the concept of mummification is used in a role-playing context, where one person, playing the role of the "slave," is wrapped tightly by another, the "master." The nose is left uncovered for breathing. The materials used for this wrapping range from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. While the practice shares the name, in this case is focused on restraint and control instead of preservation.

**In summary**

Mummification has undergone vast changes from its beginning in ancient burial rituals to contemporary practices within BDSM subcultures. While the traditional purpose 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 reflect a deep human interest in control, whether it is over death or within social relationships.