Death and Burial

Royalty and wealthy private citizens alike mummified the dead. The process mirrored the myth of the Underworld god Osiris, whose body had been dismembered, reassembled and reanimated. Tutankhamun received traditional mummification.

70 Days

Since the ba, or spiritual essence of the deceased needed to return to the mummy to ensure its continued life, the body had to be preserved through an elaborate embalming process, which took at least 70 days.

Preparing the Body for Mummification

Embalmers laid the body in a bed of natron - a combination of salt and baking soda that naturally occurs in Egypt - to dry out the flesh. This material was also stuffed into the body cavity. Resins were then applied to soften the leathery skin. The brain was removed through the nostrils with a long metal hook. The heart was left in place or removed, dried out, and put back into the chest cavity.

Embalmers removed the lungs, liver, stomach, and intestines through an incision in the left side of the body. Each was carefully dried in salts, anointed with oils, and then wrapped.

The Internal Organs

The bundles containing internal organs were placed in canopic jars and stored in the burial chamber. Tutankhamun's organs, however, received particularly elaborate treatment. Each was put into a solid gold miniature coffin which in turn was placed in a stone canopic chest divided into four compartments, and each section had its own lid bearing the image of the king. Protective spells appear on the interior of the coffinettes and on the exterior of the outer chests.

Wrapping the Mummy

Tutankhamun's limbs were wrapped in the finest linen bandages. Priests recited special spells during the wrapping process and placed more than a hundred beautiful amulets and pieces of jewellery between the layers of cloth. Golden cylinders covered the king's fingers and toes and a magnificent golden funerary mask protected his face.

Mummification was undertaken for about 1% of the ancient population. For the remainder of society, the same beliefs were followed but the actual burial was on a much simpler scale.

This feature includes material from Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs: Official Companion Book. This lavishly illustrated, hardback book is much more than just a catalogue; it's packed with background information and was written by Zahi Hawass, possibly the world's leading Egyptologist. Remember to pick up your copy from the exhibition gift shop.