Egyptian Mythology and Mummification

Ancient Egyptian Mummification

Definition of Mummy

— a naturally or chemically preserved body

Art and hieroglyphs tell a lot about the way of life of the ancient Egyptians

• At first, all ancient Egyptians buried their dead in the hot desert sands

• However, in time wealthier Egyptians, especially pharaohs, began to build elaborate tombs

• They would also mummify bodies so their souls would always have a ‘home’ to rest in, and be able to ‘eat and drink’

Multiple Choice

Why did the ancient Egyptians mummify their pharaohs?

• To ensure that they remained 'pretty'

• They would mummify bodies so their souls would always have a ‘home’ to rest in

• To keep them safe from Anubis

MUMMIFICATION

• Mummies allow us to have some idea of what famous pharaohs looked like

• Scientists and historians can also find out details such as their age, their body shape, whether they had had children, what diseases and health problems they suffered — even, sometimes, what caused their deaths

• Researchers have found, for example, that cancer was probably rare or non-existent in ancient Egypt

• On the other hand, broken and worn teeth were very common because of their crunching on sand grit and hard pieces of corn that were mixed up in bread

Multiple Choice

Why were ancient Egyptians teeth often worn and broken?

• Because they never brushed their teeth

• Because teeth weren't needed in ancient Egyptian times

• Because their drinks were full of sugar

• Because they were crunching on sand grit and hard pieces of corn that were mixed up in bread

Sarcophagus

• Sarcophagus – a stone coffin

• The body and its coffins are eventually placed inside a large stone sarcophagus in the tomb

• Furniture, clothing, valuable objects, food and drink are arranged in the tomb for the deceased

Multiple Choice

What is a sarcophagus?

• A way to help people breathe

• A bowl to eat your dinner

• Stone coffin

• Stone cutlery

Questions to answer in your writing books:

• Why did the ancient Egyptians think it was important to preserve a dead body? (80 - 100 word response)

• What similarities and differences are there between the burial practices of the ancient Egyptians and those used today?