" (David: 165) Other important studies were conducted by J.E. Harris and K. Weeks (1973) and Harris and E. Wente (1980) and they provided "further information about mummification techniques such as arm position, presence of artifacts, and brain removal, as well as about age at death, aspects of genealogy of the royal family, and their dental conditions." (165)
But humans were not the only ones who received this kind of treatment, sacred animals were also preserved using various techniques of mummification. Some animals were actually considered "incarnations of gods" (Owen). Animals were seen as spirits of gods as Owen (2004) explains "cats were seen as the incarnation of Bastet, goddess of music and joy and protector of women. The Apis bull, a sacred animal to the Egyptians, came to be known as the incarnation of Osiris, god of embalming and cemeteries. Likewise, ancient Egyptians associated hawks with Horus (the god of light), ibises with Thoth (the god of wisdom and learning), and so on."
For this reason, Egyptians would mummify millions of sacred animals such as cats, cows and birds. Since animals were mummified in vast numbers, it was felt their mummification process was probably not as sophisticated as that of animals. However it was later found that elaborate methods were used to preserve these creatures as well. According to a report by National Geographic magazine, researchers at the University of Bristol, England studied four animal mummies and found that "Chemicals detected in tissue samples from the animal mummies revealed the presence of various natural products found in human embalming materials used by the ancient Egyptians. These included animal fats, oils, beeswax, sugar gum, bitumen, and pine tree resins. The researchers found these products had also been applied...
Natron was used as the disinfectant and organs were usually removed to prevent internal decay. Heart was not removed however since it was considered the main organ of intelligence and hence sacred. Corpses were washed and wrapped in linen and bitumen was sometimes used for preservation. This was the practice during the Late Period and linen was normally provided by family of the deceased. Masks were used to cover the face of the deceased. Royal mummies were usually adorned with masks made of gold and silver while in other cases, wooden masks were also used.
Embalmers would use some tools during the procedure. These were simple ones consisting of a knife to make the incision, rods to remove brain and a wooden rod to remove internal organs. (Forbes, 1955)
Despite these simple tools, mummification was a sophisticated procedure and one that has inspired many modern researches. It has been a subject of much fascination among modern archaeologists and anthropologists since mummies provide important clues to ancient history, lifestyle, eating habits and practices.
References
Rosalie David. The Experience of Ancient Egypt: Routledge. London. 2000.
R.J. Forbes. Studies in Ancient Technology. E.J. Brill. Leiden, The Netherlands. 1955
E.O. James. Prehistoric Religion: A Study in Prehistoric Archaeology. Frederick A. Praeger. 1957.
Mummy" The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Columbia University Press. New York. 2004
James Owen, "Egyptians Mummified Animals Same Way as Humans" National Geographic News September 15, 2004
