Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Ancient Egypt to Modern Practices

Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Ancient Egypt to Modern Practices

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The process of mummification is the process through which the skin and flesh of a corpse are preserved. This preservation can occur naturally or be carried out by humans. Natural mummification occurs in certain environments, such as extreme cold, acidic bogs, or arid conditions. One of the most famous forms of intentional mummification originated in Egyptian civilization, where the dead were covered in bandages to stop decomposition and keep the body for the journey to the afterlife.

Mummies, including humans and animals, have been discovered all over the globe, often due to natural preservation or intentional rituals. In Egypt, in excess of a million mummified animals have been uncovered, including a large number of cats. The method of mummification in ancient Egypt was very symbolic. The brain was removed using a hook through the nasal cavity, and extracted most internal organs, except for the heart. This was due to the belief that the heart was central to the ceremony in the afterlife. The removed organs were put into canopic jars, which were buried with the mummy.

In modern times, mummification has evolved into a new practice in certain BDSM communities. Here, the practice of wrapping the body has become a form of role-play, where one person, known as the "slave," is wrapped tightly by another, the "master." Only the nostrils are left exposed for breathing. The materials used for this wrapping range from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. While the practice shares the name, its purpose in BDSM centers around controlling the body and not about maintaining the body's condition.

**To conclude**

Mummification has undergone vast changes from its origins in ancient burial rituals to present-day practices within BDSM subcultures. Although its original intention focused on preserving the body for the afterlife, today's version is about control and role-play. Even though they are different, both forms of mummification reveal a fascination with control, whether it is over death or within social relationships.