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

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

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The process of mummification refers to the method in which the skin and flesh of a deceased person can remain intact. This preservation may happen naturally or be carried out by humans. Bodies are naturally preserved under specific conditions, such as extreme cold, acidic environments, or arid conditions. One well-known example of intentional mummification is from Egyptian civilization, where corpses were encased in bandages to prevent decay and preserve the body for the afterlife.

Mummified remains, including humans and animals, have been found in many parts of the world, often due to natural preservation or ritualistic preservation. In Egypt, in excess of a million mummified animals have been uncovered, a significant number being cats. The method of mummification in ancient Egypt was rich in ritual. They removed the brain using a hook through the nasal cavity, and removed all major internal organs, except for the heart. 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 laid to rest with the body.

In contemporary practices, mummification has evolved into a new practice within certain BDSM subcultures. Here, the concept of mummification has become a form of role-play, where one person, known as the "slave," is bound tightly by another, the "master." Only the nostrils are left exposed to allow for air. The wrapping materials range from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Though the activity retains the term mummification, its purpose in BDSM is primarily about domination and restraint and not about maintaining the body's condition.

**Conclusion**

Mummification has undergone vast changes from its roots in ancient Egyptian death practices to present-day practices in subcultures like BDSM. While the traditional purpose focused on preserving the body for the journey to the next life, the contemporary practice is about control and role-play. Though these two forms differ, both forms of mummification reveal a fascination with control, whether it is over death or through interpersonal dynamics.