Other cultures known to have used embalming techniques in antiquity include the Meroites, Guanches, Peruvians, Jivaro Indians, Aztecs, Toltecs, Mayans, and Tibetan and southern Nigerian tribes. The ancient Egyptians believed that mummification enabled the soul to return to the preserved corpse after death. They did so by removing organs, ridding the body of moisture, and covering the body with natron. As early as the First Dynasty (3200 BCE), specialized priests were in charge of embalming and mummification. Perhaps the ancient culture that developed embalming to the greatest extent was Egypt. The earliest known evidence of artificial preservation in Europe was found in Osorno (Spain) and are about 5000 years old human bones covered in cinnabar for preservation, but embalming remained unusual in Europe up to the time of the Roman Empire. The Chinchorro culture in the Atacama desert of present-day Chile and Peru are among the earliest cultures known to have performed artificial mummification, as early as 5000⁠–⁠6000 BCE. Whilst the term embalming is used for both ancient and modern methods toward preservation of a deceased person, there is very little connection between modern-day practices of embalming and ancient methods in terms of techniques or final aesthetic results.

History Pottery, dishes, and other miscellaneous items from the embalming cache of Tutankhamun Embalming preserves the body intact, whereas taxidermy is the recreation of an animal's form often using only the creature's skin, fur or feathers mounted on an anatomical form. Embalming has a very long and cross-cultural history, with many cultures giving the embalming processes a greater religious meaning.Īnimal remains can also be embalmed by similar methods, but embalming is distinct from taxidermy. Performed successfully, embalming can help preserve the body for a duration of many years. The three goals of embalming are sanitization, presentation, and preservation, with restoration being an important additional factor in some instances.

This is usually done to make the deceased suitable for viewing as part of the funeral ceremony or keep them preserved for medical purposes in an anatomical laboratory. For other uses, see The Embalmer, Embalmer (band), and Embalming (manga).Įmbalming is the art and science of preserving human remains by treating them (in its modern form with chemicals) to forestall decomposition.

Mortian battle tank heavy support