ANCIENT EGYPTIAN MUMMIFICATION - New YouTube Video uploaded TODAY
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN MUMMIFICATION:
Dr. James D. Rietveld
A great potted history of mummification, embalming techniques and the evolution of tomb building in Ancient Egypt. James really manages to give his audience a thorough insight into the complex and lengthy process. Condensed and jam-packed full of information.
Shared with The Explorers Club courtesy of James Rietveld and Marggi Markowitz of Ipso Facto in Fullerton, California.
What are the 7 steps of mummification?
Why did they mummify animals as well as humans?
What was the Opening of the Mouth ceremony from the legend of Osiris ?
Throughout history, humans have strived to be immortal, and often saw this present life continuing on into some form of afterlife. Some ancient peoples believed that the spirit would go on, while others thought that both body and spirit would continue together, with the body fully reconstituted from its decayed state, becoming vibrant flesh once again. In Ancient Egypt, the idea of "spirit" was complex, involving really three spirits: the ka, ba, and akh and Ancient Egyptians, believed that this present body continued as the chosen vessel, carrying the spirit over to the other side after death. Egyptians believed that it was important to preserve some semblance of the precious physical body, either symbolically by preserving its outer form even if the flesh fell away, or in actuality, applying embalming techniques to preserve it as much as possible.
The Mummification process of preservation using resins and oils as applied by the Ancient Egyptians, evolved over a long period of time, and became a quintessential feature of Egyptian life. While mummification was practiced to preserve the body in order to host the soul, the deceased also needed amulets and magical texts in their tomb to address the spiritual facets of death and navigate the afterlife. Possessions placed in the tomb also included weapons, jewellery, clothes, and mummified pets. With this practice spanning over 3,000 years, it is possible that over 70 million mummies were made. Shockingly hundreds and thousands of mummies were destroyed by robbers, for kindling and medicine. Ground up for an ingredient they were thought to contain called bitumen, people such as King Francis I of France believed it's consumption provided strength and invincibility. Also, sadly, in the Victorian era mummies were acquired from Egypt for neo-gothic entertainment for "unwrapping parties" with invitations that stated, "champagne and canapés to follow." However, as people began to respect the history and legacy of mummies, fascinating information was culled about ancient disease, medical practices, technology, health, diet, and religious beliefs. In a sense they are living forever, given the fascination in the public mindset, where today we have the remarkable opportunity to look in the eyes of someone from 3,000 to 4,000 years ago with wonder and learn what their life was like. With the efforts of museums to preserve them, finally, perhaps, these souls are having the kind of afterlife they wanted, by being remembered. Want to come to a virtual unwrapping party ? www.themysteries.org
ABOUT James: James Rietveld is a professor of Religion, Archaeology, and Antiquities from Claremont Graduate University’s School of Religion (PhD 2006). His specialties include the History of Christianity in the Early, Medieval, and Byzantine periods and Greco-Roman religions. Also at Claremont, Rietveld minored in Islam and Hinduism. Rietveld received both his Bachelor of Arts and his Masters of Arts in History at California State University Fullerton in 1991 and 1998 respectively and a classical education in Greek and Latin from University of California Irvine from 1999-2001. Rietveld is currently teaching at California State University Long Beach. He has a passion for studies revolving around Asia Minor and is an accomplished, author and radio presenter.