HISTORY

Egyptian Mummies and the process of mummification

Egyptian Mummies and the process of Mummification

Introduction

The early Egyptians used to bury their loved ones in pits developed in the desert. The severe heat and the dryness of the pit dehydrated the dead bodies and created natural mummies. Later they started burying them in coffins to protect them from wild animals but they soon realized that the dead body still decayed. Egyptians came up with the process of mummification which took 70 whole days to be completed. They used the process to ensure that the bodies are still lifelike. They made use of embalming the body. In order to embalm a body the ancient Egyptian utilized Natron and salt to preserve them. After all the moisture had been removed from the tissues of the body then the body was cleansed with aromatic oils.

Issue

Research today has shown that the process of embalming can have severe impact on the environment. Secondly, introduction of such processes commercially has religious issues as well as legal issue.

Environment Issue

Following the traditions of the Egyptians with respect to the process of embalming; marketers today have initiated the business of embalming as they see a huge business opportunity. They are directing their marketing strategies by having an emotional appeal to it. Such marketing activities have been able to acquire ample attention. A lot of success has been achieved in terms of creating a demand for it but niche market has been able to grab the opportunity since the process of embalming requires hefty amount.

The environmental issues that are associated with the process of embalming are that the process of embalming involves filtering out the fluids of the body by transfusion of a solution called formaldehyde which apparently is a pink dye. The body fluids that are transfused ...