Decomposition and Mummification in Ancient Egypt

Introduction

• Death and taxes are inevitable, but the ancient Egyptians tried to evade decomposition.
• Ancient Egyptians developed mummification to preserve bodies.

Cellular Decomposition

• Living cells renew themselves with specialized enzymes.
• Upon death, cells no longer renew, but enzymes continue to break down tissues.

Mummification Process

Brain Removal

• Neurons die quickly, making brain preservation difficult.
• Process began by removing the brain:
  • Spike hammered into the skull.
  • Brain mashed and flushed out the nose.
  • Tree resins poured in to prevent decomposition.

Removal of Internal Organs

• Decaying guts pose a major issue due to digestive enzymes and bacteria.
• Lungs and abdominal organs, including liver, stomach, intestines, removed.
• Heart treated specially as it was believed to be the soul's seat:
  • Organs placed in natron-filled jars (a naturally occurring salt).

Use of Natron

• Natron is a mix of soda ash and baking soda (alkaline salts).
• Alkaline salts kill bacteria and prevent enzyme activity.
• Converts fatty membranes into hard, soapy substances.

Preservation of the Body

• Body cavity stuffed with natron sacks and cleaned.
• Corpse set in a natron bed for 35 days:
  • Alkaline salts dehydrate the body, forming hard brown clumps.

Final Treatment and Wrapping

• Tree resin poured over body to seal it.
• Body massaged with a waxy mixture (cedar oil included).
• Wrapped in linen.
• Placed in nested coffins and sometimes a stone sarcophagus.

Success of Mummification

• Mummies are not intact bodies:
  • Brain removed and organs salted.
  • About half body mass drained away.
• Despite decay, remains are well-preserved for thousands of years.
• Autopsies can reveal causes of death and isolate DNA.

Historical Insights

• Air pollution was significant due to indoor fires.
• Cardiovascular disease and tuberculosis were common.

Conclusion

• Ancient Egyptians were somewhat successful at delaying decay.
• Mummies' transport sometimes taxed like salted fish, showing that decay and taxes are inevitable.