METHODS AND TECHNIQUES OF ANIMAL MUMMIFICATION IN ANCIENT EGYPT

Abstract

Mummification stands as one of the most defining characteristics of ancient Egyptian civilization, intrinsically tied to the notion of eternity and the preservation of the body as a suitable vessel for the soul’s return in the afterlife—a belief deeply rooted in the worldview of the ancient Egyptians. This emphasis on preservation and renewal reflected not only their metaphysical understanding of existence beyond death but also their perception of continuity within earthly life. Although human mummification attracted the greatest focus, the Egyptians also extended this practice to animals, which occupied a central role in their religious beliefs and ritual practices.

Certain animals were venerated as earthly manifestations of sacred deities: cats were associated with the goddess Bastet, falcons with the god Horus, the ibis with the god Thoth, and bulls with the god Apis. Other animals, however, were offered as votive sacrifices in temples as part of devotional rituals.

The study of methods and techniques of animal mummification sheds light on an essential dimension of ancient Egyptian religious, economic, and social thought. Mummification was not merely a spiritual rite; it was also an organized profession involving workshops and temples dedicated to the craft. This institutionalization endowed the practice with technical and cultural significance that merits further scholarly investigation.

This research is structured around four main themes. The first provides a definition of mummification and the concept of the mummy; the second examines the methods and techniques of animal mummification in ancient Egypt; the third addresses the subject of animal mummies in the ancient Egyptian context; and finally, the fourth discusses the tools and materials used in the embalming process.