The History and Transformation of Mummification From Ancient Traditions to Contemporary Methods

The History and Transformation of Mummification From Ancient Traditions to Contemporary Methods

Blog Article

The art of preserving bodies describes how by which the tissues of a corpse are preserved. This process of preservation may happen naturally or be done intentionally by humans. Natural mummification occurs when exposed to particular environments, such as extreme cold, acidic bogs, or dry environments. A notable type of intentional mummification is from Egyptian civilization, where the dead were covered in bandages to preserve their bodies and preserve the body for the next world.

Mummified remains, including humans and animals, have been unearthed in many parts of the world, often because of natural preservation or intentional rituals. Throughout Egypt, in excess of a million mummified animals have been uncovered, many of them cats. The process of Egyptian mummification was very symbolic. Egyptians would extract the brain via the nostrils, and extracted most internal organs, except for the heart. This was because Egyptians believed the heart was crucial for the ceremony in the afterlife. The removed organs were placed in canopic jars, which were included in the burial.

In modern times, mummification is being used differently within 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 wrapped tightly by another, the "master." Breathing is allowed through exposed nostrils for breathing. The items used to wrap the body can include duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. While the practice is still called mummification, in the BDSM context centers around controlling the body and not about preserving the body.

**In summary**

Mummification has evolved significantly from its origins in ancient Egyptian death practices to present-day practices within BDSM subcultures. Although its original intention was about preserving the body for the afterlife, the modern interpretation focuses on power dynamics. Even though they are different, both forms of mummification reveal a fascination with control, whether over death or in controlling others.