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

The process of mummification is the process in which the tissues of a deceased person can remain intact. This process of preservation can happen through natural means or be carried out by humans. Natural mummification happens when exposed to particular environments, such as glacial climates, high acidity, or dry environments. One of the most famous forms of intentional mummification originated in ancient Egypt, where the dead were covered in bandages to stop decomposition and keep the body for the next world.

Mummified remains, both human and animal, have been discovered on every continent, often resulting from natural preservation or cultural practices. In Egypt, more than a million animal mummies have been found, including a large number of cats. The process of Egyptian mummification was very symbolic. The brain was removed via the nostrils, and extracted most internal organs, leaving only the heart. This was due to the belief that the heart was central to the ceremony in the afterlife. The other organs were stored in canopic jars, which were laid to rest with the body.

In contemporary practices, mummification has taken on a new form in certain BDSM subcultures. Here, the concept of mummification is part of role-playing scenarios, where one person, playing the role of the "slave," is wrapped tightly by another, the "master." Only the nostrils are left exposed for breathing. The items used to wrap the body can include duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. While the practice shares the name, its purpose in BDSM is focused on restraint and control rather than preserving the body.

**Conclusion**

Mummification has undergone vast changes from its origins in early death rituals to contemporary practices in alternative lifestyles. While the traditional purpose focused on preserving the body for the journey to the next life, 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 in controlling others.