The Art and Evolution of Mummification From Ancient Egypt to Modern Practices

The Art and Evolution of Mummification From Ancient Egypt to Modern Practices

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The art of preserving bodies is the process in which the body of a deceased person can remain intact. This process of preservation can occur naturally or be performed through human intervention. Natural mummification occurs in certain environments, such as freezing temperatures, high acidity, or dry climates. One well-known example of intentional mummification is from Egyptian civilization, where the dead were covered in bandages to preserve their bodies and maintain the corpse for the journey to the afterlife.

Mummies, including humans and animals, have been unearthed in many parts of the world, often due to natural preservation or cultural practices. Within Egypt, more than a million animal mummies have been discovered, many of them cats. The process of Egyptian mummification was very symbolic. Egyptians would extract the brain through the nose, and took out most of the body's organs, except for the heart. This was due to the belief that the heart was crucial for the afterlife rituals. The other organs were stored in canopic jars, which were laid to rest with the body.

Today, mummification is being used differently in certain BDSM communities. Here, the practice of wrapping the body has become a form of role-play, where one person, referred to as the "slave," is completely wrapped by another, the "master." Only the nostrils are left exposed to ensure oxygen flow. The items used to wrap the body can include duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. While the practice shares the name, in the BDSM context is primarily about controlling the body instead of maintaining the body's condition.

**To conclude**

Mummification has evolved significantly from its roots in ancient Egyptian death practices to contemporary practices in subcultures like BDSM. Though its ancient goal was to preserve the body for the afterlife, the modern interpretation centers on role-playing. Even though they are different, both forms of mummification demonstrate a shared human interest in mastery, whether over death or within social relationships.