Egyptian death and afterlife: mummies

• The significance of death and the afterlife to ancient Egyptians meant complex funeral preparations and rites, thought to be needed to ensure the transition of the individual from earthly existence to immortality. 
• To ensure a successful afterlife for the dead through mummification, most internal organs were removed and preserved in distinctive jars. The brain was also removed, but not preserved, and the rest of the body was dried with natural salt, treated with oils and resins, and tightly wrapped in bandages.
• Small figures called shabtis were buried to magically provide for the deceased and help them pass into the afterlife.
• Animals sacred to the gods, like bulls, crocodiles, cats and falcons, were also mummified.
• The study of human remains in the Museum's collection helps advance important research in fields such as archaeology, social anthropology, human biology, the history of disease and genetics.
• Today, researchers at the Museum use medical CT scanners to explore the mummies in the Collection. These new techniques have allowed researchers to discover much more about life and death along the Nile. 
   

• Some objects in this collection feature on the British Sign Language multimedia guide. This resource is temporarily unavailable. You can access a selection of BSL films on your own device.
• Some objects in this collection feature on the audio description guide, available on Soundcloud.
• Step-free access. 
• View sensory map.

Visit Accessibility at the Museum for more information.