How The Ancient Egyptians Mummifed Their Dead For Afterlife In Steps (Graphic)

The BBC reports that modern researchers used forensic techniques to identify the ingredients in the resin that ancient Egyptians used.

The recipe included a plant-derived oil, such as sesame oil, a balsam-type of plant or root extract, a plant-based gum and a conifer tree resin, likely pine resin.

These ingredients have chemical properties that give them antibacterial effects that prevent the body from decaying.

A standout among the ancient Egyptian tools used for mummification is the brain hook which is just as gory as it sounds.

Embalmers used this tool, which resembled a crochet needle, insert to nostril to pull the corpse’s brain out through the nose.

They would also make an abdominal incision and remove the lungs, stomach, liver and intestines.

The body’s organs were placed in special containers called canopic jars.

They intentionally left the heart in the body because they believed it was the source of a person’s thoughts and overall being.

Next, the body was rinsed with wine, which helped to kill bacteria.

The next step was essential, they thoroughly dried out the body.

To remove all the moisture, the embalmers used a chemical called natron, which is a naturally-derived salt with excellent drying properties, according to Scientific American.

They stuffed natron packets inside the body, covered it entirely in salt and left it to dry on an embalming table.

Then, 40 days later, embalmers would find a blackened and shriveled body ready for the next phase of mummification.