Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Historical Rituals to Modern-Day Practices

Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Historical Rituals to Modern-Day Practices

Blog Article

The process of mummification is the process in which the tissues of a corpse are preserved. This process of preservation can happen through natural means or be carried out by humans. Natural mummification occurs in certain environments, such as extreme cold, high acidity, or dry environments. One well-known example of intentional mummification originated in Egyptian history, where the dead were wrapped in bandages to stop decomposition and maintain the corpse for the afterlife.

Mummified remains, whether human or animal, have been unearthed in many parts of the world, often resulting from natural preservation or intentional rituals. In Egypt, over one million animal mummies have been discovered, a significant number being cats. The method of mummification in ancient Egypt was highly ceremonial. They removed the brain using a hook through the nasal cavity, and extracted most internal organs, keeping only the heart inside the body. This was because Egyptians believed the heart was crucial for the ceremony in the afterlife. The other organs were placed in canopic jars, which were included in the burial.

In modern times, mummification has evolved into a new practice as part of certain BDSM practices. Here, the concept of mummification is used in a role-playing context, where one person, referred to as the "slave," is wrapped tightly by another, the "master." The nose is left uncovered to allow for air. The items used to wrap the body range from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. While the practice is still called mummification, in the BDSM context is primarily about restraint and control and not about maintaining the body's condition.

**In summary**

Mummification has transformed from its origins in ancient burial rituals to contemporary practices in subcultures like BDSM. While the traditional purpose was about preserving the body for the journey to the next life, the contemporary practice focuses on power dynamics. Though these two forms differ, both forms of mummification demonstrate a shared human interest in mastery, whether over death or through interpersonal dynamics.