Mummification was carried out to preserve the body after a person died. The body was covered in a special salt called Natron which dried it out, then it was wrapped in lots of layers of bandages.
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When someone was Mummified their Heart, Lungs, Liver and Stomach were often removed for special attention. In some cases they were put into special containers called 'Canopic Jars' and placed in the tomb beside the mummy. This photograph shows one of these jars. It once had someone's liver in it, but luckily it is empty now. |
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In important burials, such as those of the Pharaohs, the inside parts of the body were even more specially treated. This Canopic Coffin is one of a set found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. The embalmed organs were placed inside these little coffins which were then put into an alabaster Canopic chest with the four stoppers carved with the Pharaohs head. |
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