3.3 Ancient Egyptian funerary customs and beliefs

Ancient Egyptians believed in life after death, preserving bodies through mummification. This complex process involved removing organs, drying the body, and wrapping it in linen. The deceased's soul would journey to the afterlife, reuniting with their preserved body.

Funerals were elaborate affairs, including mourning, processions, and rituals. Tombs contained texts like the Book of the Dead and grave goods to aid the deceased. These practices reflect the Egyptians' deep-rooted beliefs about death and the afterlife.

Ancient Egyptian Funerary Practices

Mummification and the afterlife

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• Preservation of the body ensured intact physical form for afterlife journey prevented decomposition through careful processes
• Religious significance connected to god Osiris involved ritual purification of deceased symbolized rebirth and eternal life
• Process of mummification removed internal organs desiccated body using natron (salt mixture) wrapped body in linen bandages with protective amulets
• Canopic jars stored removed organs (liver, lungs, stomach, intestines) associated with four sons of Horus (Imsety, Hapy, Duamutef, Qebehsenuef)
• Afterlife beliefs centered on soul's (ba) journey to underworld reunification with preserved body (ka) to form Akh (transfigured spirit)

Stages of Egyptian funerals

1. Preparation of body washed and purified then underwent 70-day mummification process
2. Mourning period involved professional mourners wailing and lamenting followed by funeral procession to tomb
3. Opening of the Mouth ceremony performed by priests symbolically reanimated deceased allowed eating, drinking, and speaking in afterlife
4. Judgment of the dead weighed heart against feather of Ma'at (truth and justice) deceased recited declaration of innocence
5. Burial placed mummy in decorated sarcophagus interred in tomb or pyramid with grave goods
6. Offering rituals provided food and drink for deceased's sustenance required ongoing care by family members

Funerary Texts and Grave Goods

Significance of funerary texts

• Book of the Dead compiled spells and instructions guided deceased through afterlife dangers (Lake of Fire, demon guardians)
• Other funerary texts evolved over time Pyramid Texts (Old Kingdom) inscribed on tomb walls Coffin Texts (Middle Kingdom) written on coffins
• Functions of funerary texts protected during journey to afterlife provided instructions for navigating underworld realm
• Magical spells enabled transformation into different creatures (birds, lotus flowers) helped overcome obstacles in afterlife journey
• Judgment scene depictions illustrated weighing of the heart ceremony included list of negative confessions (declarations of innocence)

Purpose of grave goods

• Types of grave goods included food and drink (bread, beer) clothing and jewelry (linen garments, gold necklaces) furniture (beds, chairs) tools and weapons (copper chisels, bronze daggers)
• Ushabti figurines served as magical servants for deceased performed labor tasks in afterlife (farming, building)
• Amulets and protective objects like scarab beetles (rebirth) and Eye of Horus (protection) warded off evil spirits ensured safe passage
• Canopic jars stored preserved organs (liver, lungs, stomach, intestines) protected by four sons of Horus (Imsety, Hapy, Duamutef, Qebehsenuef)
• Funerary masks preserved facial features of deceased symbolized transformation into god-like being (golden mask of Tutankhamun)
• Significance in social hierarchy reflected status and wealth of deceased evolved over time from simple offerings to elaborate treasures (royal tombs)