Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Ancient Traditions to Contemporary Methods
Mummification: Its Development and Legacy From Ancient Traditions to Contemporary Methods
Blog Article
The art of preserving bodies describes how in which the body of a deceased person can be preserved. This method of keeping bodies intact may happen naturally or be done intentionally by humans. Natural mummification occurs under specific conditions, such as extreme cold, high acidity, or arid conditions. One well-known example of intentional mummification comes from Egyptian history, where the deceased were covered in bandages to stop decomposition and maintain the corpse for the journey to the afterlife.
Mummies, whether human or animal, have been found in many parts of the world, often resulting from natural preservation or cultural practices. Throughout Egypt, in excess of a million mummified animals have been uncovered, a significant number being cats. The method of mummification in ancient Egypt was highly ceremonial. They removed the brain through the nose, and took out most of the body's organs, keeping only the heart inside the body. This was because the heart played a key role in the afterlife rituals. The removed organs were stored in canopic jars, which were laid to rest with the body.
Today, mummification is being used differently as part of certain BDSM practices. Here, the concept of mummification is part of role-playing scenarios, where one person, referred to as the "slave," is bound tightly by another, the "master." The nose is left uncovered to allow for air. The items used to wrap the body can include duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Though the activity is still called mummification, its purpose in BDSM is primarily about restraint and control and not about maintaining the body's condition.
**In summary**
Mummification has undergone vast changes from its roots in ancient Egyptian death practices to modern-day practices in subcultures like BDSM. Although its original intention was about preserving the body for the journey to the next life, today's version centers on role-playing. Though these two forms differ, both forms of mummification demonstrate a shared human interest in mastery, whether it is over death or within social relationships.