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The Egyptians had an interesting way of thinking about funerals. Their concept of the after-life was well thought out and would be an important aspect when they would leave this world of the living to journey into the world of the dead.
After a pharaoh dies, a rigorous process of preparing his tomb and his mummification begins. According to customs, it was imperative to include in the tomb things of value and happiness. This was done to ensure that the pharaoh would be able to enjoy these materialistic things in death the same way he did in life.
The Mummification Process: It is stated that this process of mummification requires seventy days to complete. Generally, half of the time is needed to evaporate the body's moisture. Next, the embalming process takes place. According to the beliefs and customs, it is stated that, "The embalmers first task was to remove those parts which would putrefy most quickly, namely the viscera and the brain. The former were removed through an incision made in the left side of the abdomen and the latter through the nose by puncturing the ethmoid bone. The heart, however, as the seat of understanding, was regularly left in the body. It used to be thought that the principal stage in mummification was a long period of soaking in a bath containing a solution of natron, a naturally occurring compound of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. Recent investigations have shown, however, that it is far more probable that dry natron was used, the effect of which was to dehydrate the body efficiently, to dissolve body fats, and to leave the skin supple but not tender. The internal organs were treated with natron separately. All the materials used in this process were carefully preserved and buried in the vicinity of the tomb, if not in the tomb itself, for it was important that the essential juices extracted should not be divorced completely from the body. Finally the body-cavity was sometimes packed with linen and the abdominal incision sewn up and covered with a plate of leather or other material bearing a representation of the eye of Horus, a powerful protective amulet. The eye sockets likewise were plugged with wads of linen or inset with artificial eyes. After the had been treated with ointments, spices, and resins it was wrapped in a series of bandages, part of the intention of which was to restore to the body some of the bulk and form which it had lost during the dehydrating process." (James 158).
Coffins: During the Predynastic Period, coffins were not used for burials. Instead, shallow graves were used for the dead and the bodies were blanketed with skin of animals. At the times of the Old and the latter part of the Middle Kingdoms, this idea of coffins was in development. A rectangular box made of cedar was used to bury the dead. The burials were not fancy with special items that would accompany the dead. At this time, the coffins would merely include simple text. Stone coffins were introduced to those people of royalty, or of high ranking in Egyptian society. The New Kingdom brought about symbolic and religious emblems to be stored within the coffins. For the wealthy and those of royalty, bright colors and paintings of such things as Egyptians gods and goddesses became heavily used.
Funerary Equipment: The funerary equipment were items that would be placed in the tombs of the dead. "From the earliest times the tombs of the Egyptians were provided with an equipment designed to satisfy the needs of the deceased in his after-life." (James 198). These items ranged from a great variety of things used in life. Some include pottery, food and drinks, and tools. For the noblemen and pharaohs, small sculptures of deities, jewelry, clothing, and even furniture were located in the tomb!
Location of Tombs: From the early times of Egyptian history, tombs differed in style and location. The regular citizens were buried in shallow graves in the desert. The tombs of pharaohs, the rich, and nobleman were continually well planned out and extremely elaborate. The Great Pyramid at Giza, for example, was made mostly of limestone. This pyramid faced the east bank of the Nile and was divided into three areas: the King's Chamber, the Queen's Chamber, and the Unfinished Chamber. The 'mastaba-type tomb' was more structured. In a shape that is similar to our alphabetic 'J', the narrow path was made of limestone. In the midst of this path, stone blocks were set in. Further down would be a pit. Continuing down deeper into the mastaba, is a blocking entrance. On the left would lay the actual burial grounds, where slightly below that, the 'Sarcophagus', or coffin, would store the dead. Underground would be a slight opening in the building to let in air and let out fumes trapped within.
Works Cited: James, T.G.H. An Introduction To Ancient Egypt. New York, Butler & Tanner, Ltd. 1979.
To obtain more information on Ancient Egypt, I highly recommend you check out these websites!
Ancient Egypt Teacher Resource File Ancient Egypt Ancient Egyptian History Life In Ancient Egypt