The Art and Evolution of Mummification From Ancient Traditions to Contemporary Methods
The Art and Evolution of Mummification From Ancient Traditions to Contemporary Methods
Blog Article
The art of preserving bodies is the process in which the skin and flesh of a deceased person can remain intact. This process of preservation can happen through natural means or be carried out by humans. Bodies are naturally preserved in certain environments, such as freezing temperatures, acidic environments, or arid conditions. One of the most famous forms of intentional mummification originated in ancient Egypt, where the deceased were wrapped in bandages to preserve their bodies and keep the body for the journey to the afterlife.
Mummies, both human and animal, have been unearthed all over the globe, often resulting from natural preservation or intentional rituals. Within Egypt, more than a million animal mummies have been discovered, many of them cats. The process of Egyptian mummification was rich in ritual. Egyptians would extract the brain through the nose, and took out most of the body's organs, leaving only the heart. This was due to the belief that the heart was central to the "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony. The removed 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 idea of mummifying is part of role-playing scenarios, where one person, referred to as the "slave," is wrapped tightly by another, the "master." Only the nostrils are left exposed for breathing. The materials used for this wrapping vary from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Though the activity is still called mummification, its purpose in BDSM is focused on restraint and control instead of preservation.
**To conclude**
Mummification has evolved significantly from its roots in ancient burial rituals to contemporary practices within BDSM subcultures. While the traditional purpose focused on preserving the body for eternity, today's version focuses on power dynamics. Though these two forms differ, both forms of mummification reflect a deep human interest in control, whether over death or within social relationships.