Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Ancient Traditions to Contemporary Methods

Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Ancient Traditions to Contemporary Methods

Blog Article

The art of preserving bodies describes how through which the tissues of a deceased person can be preserved. This process of preservation can happen through natural means or be carried out by humans. Bodies are naturally preserved in certain environments, such as extreme cold, acidic environments, or dry environments. One well-known example of intentional mummification originated in ancient Egypt, where the deceased were wrapped in bandages to preserve their bodies and maintain the corpse for the next world.

Preserved bodies, including humans and animals, have been found all over the globe, often resulting from natural preservation or ritualistic preservation. Throughout Egypt, more than a million animal mummies have been uncovered, including a large number of cats. The process of Egyptian mummification was highly ceremonial. The brain was removed via the nostrils, and took out most of the body's organs, except for the heart. This was because the heart was central to the afterlife rituals. All other organs were stored in canopic jars, which were included in the burial.

Today, mummification has taken on a new form in certain BDSM practices. Here, the idea of mummifying is used in a role-playing context, where one person, playing the role of the "slave," is completely wrapped by another, the "master." The nose is left uncovered to ensure oxygen flow. The materials used for this wrapping can include duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Although this practice shares the name, in the BDSM context is focused on domination and restraint and not about maintaining the body's condition.

**In summary**

Mummification has transformed from its roots in ancient Egyptian death practices to present-day practices in subcultures like BDSM. Though its ancient goal was about preserving the body for eternity, the modern interpretation is about control and role-play. Though these two forms differ, both forms of mummification reflect a deep human interest in control, whether it is over death or through interpersonal dynamics.