Egyptian burial rituals and protocol

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In Ancient Egyptian burial rituals, mummies were buried with their earthly riches, pets, and sometimes even their slaves, as the Egyptians believed those were necessary to guide and serve the deceased in the afterlife and make it more comfortable. A comprehensible knowledge of Ancient Egyptian religion is indispensable for anyone who wishes to grasp the essence of the Ancient Egyptian civilization. Religion had deeply dominated all aspects of the Ancient Egyptian culture, its art, science, government, and law. Egyptian religion can be characterized by its infinite complexity and diversity. To the Ancient Egyptians the diversity of beliefs and gods was acceptable, consequently each divine power was approached by a variety of images related to nature, animal, and human life. Unfortunately, tombs were often the target of grave robbers. The size of a tomb was based on the social status of the person it belonged to. Although we know a lot about them some of their rituals and beliefs are difficult to explain.

Why did the Ancient Egyptians mummify their dead?

Ancient Egyptians devoted their entire life to afterlife. However there was no concept of heaven or hell, instead one either existed among the indestructibles (immortality) or one ceased to exist. The Egyptians believed that there were six important aspects that made up a human being. The lack of any one of these would mean one would cease to exist hence a mummified body lasts forever. The six aspects are:

1. The Physical Body
2. The Shadow
3. Name
4. Ka (spirit)
5. Ba (personality)
6. The Akh (immortality)

Each one of these elements played an important role in the well-being of an individual. Each was necessary to achieve rebirth into the afterlife.

With the exception of the Akh (immortality), all these elements join a person at birth.

Shadow and Body

A person's shadow was always present. A person could not exist without a shadow, nor the shadow without the person. The shadow was represented as a small human figure painted completely black.

Name

A person's name was given to them at birth and would live for as long as that name was spoken which explains why efforts were made to protect it. A cartouche (magical rope) was used to surround the name and protect it for eternity.

Ka (double/spirit/soul)

The Ka was a person's double/spirit/soul. The Ka was created at the same time as the physical body. The doubles were made on a potter's wheel by the ram-headed god, Khnum. The Ka existed in the physical world and resided in the tomb. It had the same needs that the person had in life, which was to eat, drink, etc. The Egyptians left offerings of food, drink, and worldly possessions in tombs for the Ka to use.

Ba (personality)

The Ba, which ability to take on different forms, can best be described as someone's personality. Like a person's body, each Ba was an individual. It entered a person's body with the breath of life and it left at the time of death and moved freely between the underworld and the physical world.

Akh (immortality)

The Akh was the aspect of a person that would join the gods in the underworld being immortal and unchangeable. It was created after death by the use of funerary text and spells, designed to bring forth an akh. Once this was achieved that individual was assured of not "dying a second time" a death that would mean the end of one's existence.

An intact body was an integral part of a person's afterlife. Without a physical body there was no shadow, no name, no ka, ba, or akh. By mummification, the Egyptians believed they were assuring themselves a successful rebirth into the afterlife.

The Indestructibles

In order to understand the concept of indestructibles, you need to understand a few basics of astronomy. Firstly the region Egyptians believed where the indestructibles resided is referred today as the Ursa Minor constellation which also happens to mark Earth's Celestial pole. Also Polaris is a member of this constellation marking north.

Since Egyptians dreamed of being 'indestructible' they could only by travelling to the indestructible region of the sky. This was also the main function of the Egyptian pyramids. The Great Pyramid of Khufu is probably best among the Pyramid structures aligned to a compass' cardinal points, even by today's standards. However, Egyptians did not have a compass so instead they used Ursa Minor to locate North. Also, the Great Pyramid for example, has a hidden trap door along with canals that point towards the Indestructibles.

Because one of the main purposes of one's life was to reach the afterlife, the most popular job was grave building. Modern Egypt's deserts are littered with graves, from the majestic Great Pyramid, to infamous tunnel networks of connected tombs. For much of the length of Ancient Egyptian civilisation grave builders were the equivalent of today's middle class. They lived a comfortable life and were not slaves, were volunteers, but were not payed directly. Instead all of their needs from basic sustenance to luxuries were met. For helping the Pharaoh reach the indestructibles, Egyptians believed they also reserved a seat among the indestructibles themselves.

Mummification

See also main article, Mummy.

First, the body would be laid on a flat board. The body would then be opened by a priest. The lungs, liver and other organs were removed and put into canopic jars. The heart was the only organ that the Egyptians left intact because this is where they believed the essence of a person lived. The brain would be taken out through the nose and was not preserved for religious reasons, and because the Egyptians did not know the importance of it. The body cavity and the separate parts were washed with wine, a natural disinfectant. Mummies were preserved with the special natron salt. Then, it was wrapped in yards of cloth. Jewels and charms were put in the folds to keep evil spirits away, although this attracted grave robbers. It took about 70 days to make a mummy. Then, the funeral was held.

Different classes

1. Pharaoh
2. Vizier
3. High Priests, Nobles
4. Priests, Engineers, Doctors
5. Scribers
6. Craftsman
7. Soldiers, Farmers, Tomb Builders
8. Slaves

The Pharaoh:

In Ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh was the highest political and religious authority. The Pharaoh represented the gods. Long before they died they ordered the construction of their final resting place. The Pyramids of Egypt are the final resting place of the most notable and famous Pharaohs. How such colossal structures were built using the technology available at the time is not fully understood.

Sources

• [www.cartage.org.lb]
• [http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Shores/7037/religion/religion.htm]

 

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