The Art and Evolution of Mummification From Historical Rituals to Modern-Day Practices

The Art and Evolution of Mummification From Historical Rituals to Modern-Day Practices

Blog Article

The art of preserving bodies is the process by which the skin and flesh of a deceased person can remain intact. This preservation may happen naturally or be done intentionally by humans. Bodies are naturally preserved under specific conditions, such as extreme cold, high acidity, or dry climates. One of the most famous forms of intentional mummification comes from ancient Egypt, where the deceased were covered in bandages to preserve their bodies and keep the body for the next world.

Mummified remains, including humans and animals, have been unearthed all over the globe, often because of natural preservation or intentional rituals. Within Egypt, over one million animal mummies have been uncovered, a significant number being cats. The Egyptian mummification techniques was rich in ritual. The brain was removed through the nose, and extracted most internal organs, keeping only the heart inside the body. This was because the heart was crucial for the ceremony in the afterlife. The other organs were placed in canopic jars, which were buried with the mummy.

In contemporary practices, mummification has evolved into a new practice within certain BDSM practices. Here, the practice of wrapping the body is used in a role-playing context, where one person, playing the role of the "slave," is wrapped tightly by another, the "master." Only the nostrils are left exposed to allow for air. The materials used for this wrapping range from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. While the practice retains the term mummification, its purpose in BDSM is focused on domination and restraint rather than maintaining the body's condition.

**In summary**

Mummification has evolved significantly from its roots in early death rituals to present-day practices in subcultures like BDSM. Though its ancient goal was about preserving the body for the journey to the next life, today's version focuses on power dynamics. Even though they are different, both forms of mummification demonstrate a shared human interest in mastery, whether over death or within social relationships.