HOW ARE MUMMIES MADE?
The Egyptians believe that there is life after death and they think you need your body to go to this after life. So they mummify the body.
Firstly the body is placed on a table and the embalmer cuts a slit in either side of the body. This is to take out the internal organs such as the stomach, liver intestines and brain which are removed by a large steel hook through the nose. These are removed because they hold moisture which causes rotting. The heart is left in because the Egyptians think it controls the body.
Once the body is empty linen is put in to cover the inside of the body to suck up all of the remaining moisture. Now they cover the body with salt called natron and leave it for forty days to dry. Next, the linen is removed and the body is filled with sand, sawdust and spice, so the body will keep its shape.
Now the wrapping starts which requires up to 140m of linen. First, the neck and head are wrapped with thin strips of linen, then the fingers and toes. Next, the main body parts are wrapped. Amulets are placed between the wrappings to ward of evil.
Once the body is fully wrapped the Egyptians put a book of spells in the dead person’s hands. This is done because he is thought to need it in the after life.
Last, the body is placed in a tomb to rest until it is ready for the after life.
Mummification is a very expensive process so only the wealthy could do it.