Mummification is a process in which the skin and flesh of a corpse can be preserved. The process can occur either naturally, or it can be intentional.

Natural examples:

If it occurs naturally, it is the result of cold (as can be found trapped in a glacier), acid (as can be found in a bog) or dryness (buried in the dessert sands).

Intentional:

The Egyptians wrapped bandages around the corpse to protect the body from rotting.

Over one million animal mummies have been found in Egypt, many of which are cats. They used a hook to remove the brain from taking it out from the nose and they would surgically remove all other organs but the heart, as this was needed for the weighing of the heart ceremony. The organs would then be buried with the mummy in separate containers called canopic jars.

Find out more about this process with the links below: