Learn about mummification techniques

We must all know that mummification is the only way to preserve the dead from decomposition by a special process. Mummification has appeared in Egypt since 4000 BC and is still popular until today. Some socialist countries, such as Vietnam, China, Korea, the former Soviet Union and most recently Venezuela, have either begun or began research on embalming with the purpose of keeping their leader's body permanently . For some Western countries, mummification is another purpose of delaying the body's natural degeneration process, to preserve the body for a short time before conducting cremation or burial, not is to keep the body permanently.

>>>The secret to a long-lasting mummy

First mummy

Ancient Egyptians were the first people to embalm the body from 4000 BC. They wrapped the dead bodies into clothes and then burned them in charcoal and sand mixture from the Nile River. For Egyptians, mummification is the work of preparing before burial the dead is religious ritual and prepares for life after returning to the afterlife.

The Egyptians believed in immaturity and resurrected after death. So the dead body should be preserved in the freshest state, so that it can absorb the soul, heart and reason. Of course, today everyone is so familiar with Egyptian mummies appearing in movies because of the sophisticated techniques of Egyptians making them too famous. According to scientists' estimates, by the time the Egyptians stopped embalming on the 700s, they had embalmed 730 million people.

Today we have a better understanding of the Egyptian mummification process, through the description of the Greek historian Herodotus in the 5th century AD:

1. The brain and internal organs must be removed from the body and soaked in palm wine. These parts are then stored in special herbal jars.

2. The remaining body is then added to scented plastic powder and other plastics and perfume before being stitched.

3. Next, the body is preserved in potassium nitrate for 70 days.

4. After 70 days, the corpse is washed again and wrapped in the tape that we often see in mummies in movies, games and then dipped in sticky glue.

5. When finished processing, the mummy will be placed in the coffin and taken to burial.

However, the process through the above steps is only done for members of the noble family, but for other social classes, the process is simpler. For example, the body will be injected with an extract of cedar and soaked in potassium nitrate for 70 days. After that, cedar oil will be sucked out along with the flesh of the corpse, while the skin and bones are retained. For the poorest families in society, the intestines are removed and the corpse is soaked in potassium nitrate for a shorter period of time.

Identify in other ancient civilizations

The Egyptians were the first to embalm the dead and then spread this custom to the surrounding civilizations. The Assyrians use honey when Persians use wax to embalm. After beginning to popularize in African and Asian countries, embalming began to reach the European border. However, each place has their own embalming techniques.

- Guanche, indigenous people on Canary Island remove soft organs and fill empty parts of the body with salt and powder made from plants on the island.

- Jivaro tribes in Ecuador and Peru use other techniques when they smash corpses on low fire because they believe in doing so to maintain immortality.

- Tibetans still use traditional traditional embalming techniques to keep all the corpses in a large box filled with salt for 3 months.

However, some ancient civilizations did not accept this custom of the Egyptians. Jews, Babylonians and Sumerians rarely conduct mummification of dead bodies.

Chemical etching

However, when in the middle ages in Europe, the embalming movement was reduced. The reason is because the embalming technique becomes expensive when using herbs and other materials that even aristocratic families cannot afford. Besides, there are many opposing religious views against this custom. However, at some point, the cause lies in the need for 'silence' to develop the technique of embalming to a higher level.

The embalming technique has made great strides in the Renaissance. Renaissance is a cultural movement that has profound impact on European intellectual life in modern times. Beginning in Italy, spreading throughout Europe in the 16th century, its influence is present in literature, philosophy, art, music, politics, science, religion, and other aspects of life. Living this spirit. In this period, people turn their attention to general science and the human body.The great Renaissance scientist Leonardo da Vinci developed a method that allowed injections of substances into human blood vessels, the premise of chemical embalming.

After Vinci's time, the Dutch anatomist, Fredrik Ruysch, was considered the first person to embalm with the method of injecting chemicals into his body. Until the nineteenth century, French and Italians made great strides in the embalming technology using chemicals that were injected directly into blood vessels. This way proved to be superior to previous ways because it was effective for every part of the corpse. During this period common chemicals used were arsenic (arsenic), zinc chloride, copper sulfate, potassium carbonate, aluminum sulfate and mercury dichloride.

Modern confirmation

Modern mummies are all people with expertise in anatomy, pathology, microbiology, chemistry, and aesthetics. In the US, in order to participate in this job, candidates must complete training courses in the above industries, and be granted a degree before entering the profession. What about the process of mummification?

The process of mummification requires a lot of time and effort. Each case requires different treatment methods such as requirements for sterilization, preservation and restoration. But in general, modern mummification rules today include the following basic steps:

1. The corpse is placed on a flat table after being cleaned.

2. The embalming solution is pumped into the blood capillaries through a small tube connected to the embalming machine. This solution is a mixture of water and preservatives like formaldehyde (in Vietnam called hormones) that will absorb water and dry cells. The presence of these substances will make the corpse more difficult to decompose because microorganisms and bacteria are difficult to develop on the host due to environmental disadvantages.

3. The amount of embalm used is different, depending on the case. On average, 3.8 liters of solution is needed for every 22.7 kg of dead bodies.

4. The blood will then be removed from the circulatory system.

5. Blood vessels are bundled and stitched into the cut.

6. The remaining parts of the body are treated by removing the remaining liquids and gases, and injecting the correct embalm used in step 2.

7. Clean and wear clothes for the dead.

8. Makeup to restore looks to the dead.

During the embalming process, the operator must be very careful and gentle when adjusting the embalming and organ removal. Just a little "strong " time will make the dead person lose water quickly and the body is swollen.

Pros and cons of modern mummification

Until now, there is still much controversy surrounding embalming. The supportive view is that mummification helps families and relatives have time to arrange funerals, transporting dead people from far away places (for example, from the battlefield). Besides, mummification also eliminates the risk of infectious diseases from decomposing corpses. Especially if the dead person is a victim of a car accident or chronic illness, embalming is extremely important to family members; help restore the victim to the most intact, fresh state to alleviate pain for relatives.

In contrast, embalmed supporters stem from religious and environmental reasons. Orthodox Jews and Muslims do not embalm the dead, Buddhist followers and Hindus support cremation.

Environmentally, mummification of very toxic formaldehyde use is listed as potentially carcinogenic. Therefore, those who do this work need to undergo training and use protective equipment when working. In addition, the waste of formaldehyde released into the environment is also a concern. Every year in the United States, the amount of liquid infiltration into the soil can fill 8 times the Olympic standard swimming pool. Moreover, land is limited, so it is difficult to have enough space to store the corpses after embalming. However, it is difficult to deny that mummification brings us. We should also stress that today's embalming is for short-term purposes, a preparation for funerals (except in some cases). for memorial purposes rather than for religious or spiritual reasons as those who lived in ancient times.