Mummies have long been associated with Ancient Egypt, although this is not entirely true
We have known about the existence of mummies since ancient times. They were found in almost all corners of the world, but most of all they are still associated with Ancient Egypt - we just used to think so, and nothing can be done about it. Here are the most interesting facts about the history of mummies and the mummification process:
- The word "mummy" comes from the medieval Arabic word "mūmiya", meaning "bitumen" or "something soaked in bitumen."
- The god of mummification in ancient Egypt was Anubis - a creature with a human body and a jackal's head. This is probably why so many jackal mummies have been found. Anubis is identical to the modern concept of "suspended animation": it was assumed that mummification is not only "eternal sleep", but also a step towards "rebirth", the awakening of the deceased.
- The first mummies in ancient Egypt began to be made around 3400 BC, but only eight hundred years later did the Egyptians realize that for better preservation, it was necessary to remove internal organs. Over time, mummification became a complex and lengthy process that could last up to 70 days.
- The first person to describe in detail the process of mummification was the Greek historian Herodotus, who visited Egypt around 450 BC.
- In fact, a South American tribe called the Chinchorro started making mummies much earlier than Ancient Egypt. According to only recently found archaeological evidence, the oldest Chinchorro mummies are around 7,000 years old, twice the age of Egyptian mummies. In general, the South American continent is "older" - after all, many pyramids and buildings appeared there before the flood. At the same time, the most ancient Egyptian Sphinx was erected immediately AFTER the flood. As they say, there is a difference …
- Not all mummies were given the same pose. For example, the pose with arms crossed on the chest, well known to us from the films, belonged to male royals.
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- According to Egyptian mythology, the god Osiris was the first to be mummified. But his remains have never been found …
- It is wrong to think that only the pharaohs were mummified. In fact, anyone with sufficient funds could order the procedure.
- After the mummy was completely wrapped in cloth, special clothes with images of Osiris were put on top. It was believed that this would help to appease the god of the underworld. In addition, the ancient Egyptians believed that all items placed in the tomb would help the deceased in the afterlife. He was accompanied by works of art, tools, jewelry, and even slaves.
- In the Victorian era, unwrapping mummies was a popular entertainment at parties. The owner bought the mummy, and the guests unfolded it. They were struck wildly at "ha-ha" from contemplating the remains. A strange way to have fun, isn't it?.. But to each his own.
- In the same Victorian era, mummy powder was included in many medicines and doctors assured patients of their excellent healing properties.
- The heart is the only organ that the ancient Egyptians left inside the mummy. They considered the heart to be a repository of mind and emotions - those qualities that a deceased person would need in the next world.
- If you remove all the shells, then the weight of an average mummy will be about 3 kilograms.
- Sometimes the mouth of the mummy was left open to make it easier for the deceased to breathe in the afterlife. Perhaps it was this custom that caused the fear that the mummy might come to life.
- King Charles II believed that the dust of the mummy contains the secret of greatness. He kept several mummies, from which he collected loose dust and rubbed into his skin.
- Modern sleeping bags are often made wider at the shoulders and narrower at the legs, which makes the person lying inside look like a mummy. This is no coincidence, the design of the sleeping bag was indeed copied from the mummies.