Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Ancient Egypt to Modern Practices

Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Ancient Egypt to Modern Practices

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The art of preserving bodies is the process by which the body of a corpse can remain intact. This method of keeping bodies intact may happen naturally or be performed through human intervention. Bodies are naturally preserved in certain environments, such as extreme cold, acidic environments, or dry climates. One well-known example of intentional mummification originated in Egyptian civilization, where the deceased were wrapped in bandages to stop decomposition and keep the body for the afterlife.

Mummies, whether human or animal, have been unearthed on every continent, often resulting from natural preservation or ritualistic preservation. Within Egypt, more than a million animal mummies have been found, many of them cats. The method of mummification in ancient Egypt was very symbolic. Egyptians would extract the brain using a hook through the nasal cavity, and extracted most internal organs, keeping only the heart inside the body. This was because the heart was crucial for the afterlife rituals. All other organs were stored in canopic jars, which were buried with the mummy.

In modern times, mummification is being used differently as part of certain BDSM communities. Here, the idea of mummifying is used in a role-playing context, where one person, playing the role of the "slave," is bound tightly by another, the "master." Only the nostrils are left exposed to ensure oxygen flow. The items used to wrap the body range from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Although this practice is still called mummification, its purpose in BDSM is focused on restraint and control instead of preservation.

**To conclude**

Mummification has evolved significantly from its roots in ancient burial rituals to contemporary practices within BDSM subcultures. Though its ancient goal was about preserving the body for the afterlife, the modern interpretation is about control and role-play. Despite the differences, both forms of mummification demonstrate a shared human interest in mastery, whether over death or within social relationships.