Egyptians believed in a life after death, and their gods, like Osiris, had shown the way. They believed the body was still needed in that next life. So families took great care of the bodies of people they loved.
Key idea
Egyptians dried and wrapped the bodies of the dead so they would last. This is called mummification, and a body kept this way is a mummy.
Why it works
In the dry desert, sand alone can dry a body and keep it for a long time. Egyptians learned to do this carefully. Skilled workers called embalmers covered the body in natron, a natural salt that soaks up water. Then they wrapped it in many layers of linen bandages, tucking in small lucky charms called amulets. The whole careful work took about 70 days.
Worked example: In order
Put the main steps in order: wrap in linen; place in a coffin; dry with natron.
- First the body must be dried, so it will last.
- Then it is wrapped in linen bandages.
- Last, it is laid in a coffin.
Answer: Dry with natron, wrap in linen, place in a coffin.
Worked example: Why natron?
Why did embalmers use natron, a kind of salt?
- Salt pulls water out of things (that is how salted fish keeps).
- A dry body does not spoil.
Answer: To dry the body so it would last.
Common mistake
Thinking mummies are monsters from movies. A mummy is a real person whose body was kept with love by their family. Today scientists can look inside mummies with scanners, without unwrapping them.
Egyptians also mummified animals, such as cats and ibis birds, as gifts for the gods.