Unit 3Ancient Egypt

Burial Practices&

Tomb Layout

Mummification

• Took 70 days to complete• Included a drying process

using natron. Natron is, “A hydrous sodium carbonate used in ancient embalming.”

• Internal organs were to be removed in jars called canopic jars. The brain was taken out through the nose also.

Final Stages of Becoming a Mummy

• Bodies would be then wrapped in linen.

• Amulets would be placed with the deceased for many reasons. As much as amulets were important while alive they would be used for protection in the afterlife as well. Protecting heart, blood, neck and many more.

• The body would be then placed in a sarcophagus or as we know coffin.

Gods & Goddesses Of the Afterlife

• Anubis was known to watch over the dead and came in the form of a jackal head wearing man. Since he was the god who helped embalm Osiris after being killed he was known as the god who watched over the process of mummification.

• Isis was the wife of Osiris, mother to Horus and known as a protector. Her amulet would be worn by the deceased for the afterlife.

Gods & Goddesses Continued• Another goddess of protection in

the afterlife was Nephthys. Often shown on sarcophagus. She was the sister to Isis and Osiris, mother of Anubis and wife to Seth. (Who killed Osiris)

• Multi use god Osiris was the god of the dead, fertility and resurrection (sounds busy!) He was married to Isis and also her brother. And together had Horus.

Continued;

• Although not seen as an afterlife god, Ra the sun god was said to have travelled the underworld at night wearing the head of a ram. And because some people may travel to the underworld after death I figured he belonged here.

• All of these gods and goddesses were vital in reaching the afterlife.

Gods & Goddesses Quick Facts

• Ancient Egyptians believed in polytheism which meant believing in more then one god/goddesses. Or many.

• Egyptians had hundreds and even thousands of gods/goddesses in all aspects of life and after life.

• There are many Egyptian creation stories (with that many gods/goddesses I wouldn’t doubt it!)

Who was vital in after death and tombs?

• As embalming is such a vital part of this, special priests would work being embalmers.

• Priests to perform religious rituals over the entrance to the tomb and tomb. “The most important part of the ceremony was called the "Opening of the Mouth". A priest touched various parts of the mummy with a special instrument to "open" those parts of the body to the senses enjoyed in life and needed in the Afterlife.”

• Tomb builders to create the tomb that would help the deceased to their eternal afterlife and rest in peace.

What you may find in an Egyptian tomb:

• Canopic Jars- as said before, the deceased's organs would be placed in jars known as canopic jars. More commonly found in the tombs of the wealthy.

• Incense- would be burned to communicate with the supernatural world, at the funeral and also to mask any smell of food offerings.

• Decorations could also be clay cones, which would have the name and a prayer written on it its to be said.

What you may find in a tomb the inside tour continued :

• Ancient Egyptians thought highly of animals so mummified animals weren't uncommon to find inside the tomb. Cats, birds and crocodiles were some common ones to find. Also represented the gods/goddesses as many wore animal heads.

• If you were wealthy life size statues of the gods/goddesses and even of them surrounding them for the afterlife!

And there may even be more!• Funerary masks- Would be placed onto the deceased covering their face. The mask was believed to help build a relationship between thee departed and spirit world, representing the deceased features thus making them recognizable in the after life.

• Funerary art- Was often found in the tomb and used to show burial rites and past memories from the deceased. Life after death was very important to Egyptians so they did not want any reason to forget what brought them there.

Last but not least, the sarcophagus!

• After the body was mummified it was laid to rest in a coffin or sarcophagus. There may just be one or many stacked in each other. Egyptians believed that life after death was better and in order to protect them on their journey there, decorations were painted on to ward off bad spirits or help the after life understand what they came from.

Sarcophagus Decorations• A false eye- Would be painted

on so they deceased could look out.

• Nut, the sky goddess- So she could wrap her feathers around the mummy to protect them in the after life.

• A scarab beetle- It was believed to be a symbol of rebirth or good luck for rebirth.

• A door way- So the deceased could come and go to their sarcophagus freely.

• Jewelry around the neck or, “collar,” was also worn to depict how important or their role in Egypt was before death.

This is roughly what would be all in the tomb once completed (imagine this the tomb)

.

I chose question #1: If the practise of building elaborate tombs to lead people to the afterlife were still being used today, what types of objects, drawings, symbols, religious representations, and messages do you think might be included in an average tomb? Explain the significance of these items and why they might be included.

First and foremost there would be two sides to this. One is the fact that the things placed with the deceased would be quite different since imagine the time difference, there has been so many countless advances in technology, art preference and religious practices. But at the same time the significance of these belongings would have the same significance as ancient Egyptians belongings did to them, even with such a vast difference in times. Although many believe you can’t take anything with you when you go, in thinking like the ancient Egyptians imagine the peace that you would have knowing the people you left behind will be helping you be at peace in the afterlife.

• In ancient Egypt amulets were very important to them including one to wear over your heart. So in my mind I highly believe that in an average tomb now the deceased would wear a locket over their heart with a picture of a loved one so they wouldn’t forget who they love when they crossed over. Egyptians were big on remembering, and what better way to do that by wearing your heart that’s still in this realm? Also amulets aren’t exactly used these days so I see that as a happy medium. Family portraits are very popular with people these days so just as the Egyptians had paintings to preserve memories in time I could see family portraits doing the same and photos in general. A map would be a good one, like a map of how to get home or somewhere you love so you never forget how to get there. As since there is an afterlife means those places in a possible different rendition will be there. The point of all these things is to signify what those things meant to you in life and that you don’t want to forget them in the afterlife.

• Tombstones are put on peoples graves if they so choose, and in ancient tombs it was common to have clay cones with a message and the person’s name. Much like present time tomb stones. So I believe that would still be incorporated. There are so many religions these days and I can’t just pin point one as that wouldn’t be right. Where Egyptians had a similar mind frame. What I can say that if the deceased was religious of any sort that there would be something showing that, like a bible next to the deceased or any literature for other religions. I am just uncertain of other religions or I would use more examples. Food most likely wouldn’t be offered unless the person had asked as people aren’t so keen on rotting food now days, but herbs and spices may take the place. Flowers are also placed at graves commonly and although they die also, they would still be an offering to be placed. Like said before at least when you were going to cross over you would know you had these things to guide you in the afterlife and people who cared since these were planned in advance and openly discussed. As much as things may be different the meaning is all the same. And that’s the only thing that would matter.

References:

• www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/natron• wcma.williams.edu/blog/amulets/• www.ancientegypt.co.uk/gods/explore/main.html• www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmnh/mummies.htm• www.ehow.co.uk/info_8236484_items-found-ancient-egyptian-

tombs.html• www2.sptimes.com/Egypt/EgyptCredit.4.3.html• www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/222329/funerary-mask• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funerary_art#Ancient_Egypt_and_Nubia• www.otagomuseum.govt.nz/assets/Files/mummy.pdf