Why do Ancient Egyptians mummify their dead?

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Why do Ancient Egyptians mummify their dead?

Mummification is the process of preserving bodies of the dead that includes the technique of embalming and wrapping the dead with linen that are cut into strips. It was in 2600 B.C. in which the process of undergoing mummification was practiced among the dead people of ancient Egypt. After the dead undergoes the process of mummification, the body is then labeled to be a mummy. The term was derived from the Persian or Arabic language of the word mumiya, which is originally referring to black, asphalt-like substance that oozed from the “Mummy Mountain” in Persia. This substance was believed to possess significant medical purposes and as treatment for serious illnesses. After discovering that the mummies of Egypt possess the same characteristic as that of mumiya, the term was then used on reference to such entity. Mummification may be done in natural or mechanical means. Natural mummification is done by dehydrating the dead bodies quickly using the heat and dryness of the sand and is then buried in small pits found in the desert. The mechanical mummification process is performed through the use chemical and other agents, known as embalming, and wrapping the body with strips of cloth.
Ancient Egyptians mummify their dead because of the strong belief that the souls of the dead people will come back in future time, therefore there is a need for their bodies to be preserved so that when the time comes for their return, they have bodies to go back to. Another significant reason why ancient Egyptians engaged in the practice of mummification is because of they believed that a reunion with the spiritual being of it internal being must take place for the dead body to pass over to the other side of the unknown world.

Author: plaza

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