1. Preparation and Purification:
- Before the mummification process could begin, the body of the deceased needed to be cleansed. Priests performed a ritualistic washing to purify the body using Nile water and natron, a salt substance.
2. Removing the Brain:
- Using specialized metal hooks, priests carefully removed the brain through the nostrils. The brain was considered to be an unimportant organ for the afterlife, so it was discarded.
3. Removing Internal Organs:
- The major organs, such as the liver, lungs, stomach, and intestines, were delicately removed from the body through incisions made in the abdomen.
- These organs were placed in canopic jars, each dedicated to a specific deity. The jars were then sealed and placed in the tomb alongside the mummy.
4. Treating the Body with Natron:
- The body was then packed with natron, which helped absorb moisture and acted as a drying agent. It drew out fluid from the tissues and preserved them.
5. Wrapping the Body:
- After the natron treatment, the body was thoroughly washed again. Then, priests began the complex process of wrapping the body with linen bandages.
- The bandages were often several hundred yards long and applied in a specific sequence, wrapping every part of the body.
- Priests recited prayers and rituals while wrapping the body, as each layer was believed to have religious significance.
6. Amulets and Charms:
- Along with the bandages, priests placed various amulets and charms between the layers to protect the deceased in the afterlife. These amulets included the scarab beetle, Eye of Horus, Ankh, and others.
7. Placing the Mummy in the Coffin:
- Once the body was fully wrapped and protected, it was carefully placed into a coffin, which was often intricately carved and decorated with symbols and prayers.
- The priests conducted funerary rites and rituals before sealing the coffin.
8. Burial Rituals:
- Priests facilitated the burial ceremony, which involved processions, prayers, and offerings to the gods. They ensured that the deceased was properly laid to rest in the tomb prepared for them.
The involvement of priests in mummification went beyond the physical steps of preserving the body. They served as intermediaries between the living and the divine, ensuring that the mummification process was conducted according to religious beliefs and rituals.