Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Historical Rituals to Modern-Day Practices

Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Historical Rituals to Modern-Day Practices

Blog Article

Mummification describes how in which the body of a corpse can be preserved. This method of keeping bodies intact may happen naturally or be done intentionally by humans. Bodies are naturally preserved in certain environments, such as glacial climates, acidic bogs, or dry climates. One of the most famous forms of intentional mummification is from Egyptian history, where the deceased were wrapped in bandages to prevent decay and maintain the corpse for the journey to the afterlife.

Mummified remains, including humans and animals, have been found on every continent, often due to natural preservation or intentional rituals. In Egypt, in excess of a million mummified animals have been discovered, a significant number being cats. The Egyptian mummification techniques was rich in ritual. They removed the brain 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 Egyptians believed the heart was central to the afterlife rituals. The other organs were put into canopic jars, which were laid to rest with the body.

In contemporary practices, mummification has evolved into a new practice as part of certain BDSM practices. Here, the practice of wrapping the body is used in a role-playing context, where one person, referred to as the "slave," is bound tightly by another, the "master." Breathing is allowed through exposed nostrils to ensure oxygen flow. The wrapping materials can include duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Though the activity shares the name, in the BDSM context is focused on domination and restraint instead of preservation.

**Conclusion**

Mummification has undergone vast changes from its roots in ancient burial rituals to present-day practices in alternative lifestyles. Though its ancient goal was about preserving the body for the journey to the next life, today's version is about control and role-play. Though these two forms differ, both forms of mummification reflect a deep human interest in control, whether controlling life or death or within social relationships.