Ancient Egyptians 

    Unlike the Chippewa tribe, the Ancient Egyptians were a lot more extravagant with their burial processes. Death was seen as the transition to the afterlife and the Egyptians believed that not only did the spirit go but so did the body. They would actually prepare for death as early in life as possible, after all it could take 20 years for a tomb to be built. Tombs were so extravagant they had symbols all over the walls that identified the family and their social status. When someone died the Egyptians wanted to be sure the person had everything they needed to be successful in the afterlife. They would provide drawings of food; believing it would prevent hunger, board games and even models of deceased family member servants called Ushabti, which was expected to do chores for the owner of the tomb once they arrived to the afterlife. One other important thing you would have found in a coffin is the funerary boat. The Egyptians believed the best place to be buried was Abydos, the site where Osirus was raised from the dead. Normally bodies were placed in tombs so the Funerary Boat was provided so they could travel to this location. The boat would have carvings of people and a coffin, he coffin representing the deceased. One of the most important carvings of people was a woman with her hands placed on the coffin. This woman represented Isis, the goddess that raised Osirus from the dead. The boat would guarantee arrival to Abydos where the body is raised from the dead.  

     Due to the belief that the body travels with the soul, mummification was the most important processes. After death, the body would be taken to the “Good House” called pr-neter where the body is cleansed, eviscerated then placed in the desert; the desert salt called natron would dry out the body after 35 days. Certain organs such as the lungs, liver and stomach were removed from the body, mummified and placed in Canonic jars to keep safe for all eternity. The heart remains in the body so it could be judged by the Gods. The Canoic jars show an image of the owner in a kilt kneeling. The embellishment of the kilt resembles their social status. If a lot of embellishment then they are most likely to be royalty. False eyes were given to the mummy, made of glass and heart scarabs, also known as dung beetles, were placed over the mummy’s heart. It was believed this would take place of the heart if it failed to appear before the Gods for judgment and if the heart did appear before judgment a spell that was on the heart scarab would silence the heart before the Gods of Judgment. Ma’at, the goddess of truth, balance, law, morality and justice weighed the heart. A heavier heart would show sin within that individual’s life.   

    During the process of preparing the body for the tomb, the entire family would mourn. Women would cut their hair short and men let their beards grow. Clothing was dirty and the family poured dirt over themselves. The process of mourning would last until the body was returned to the family for placement in the tomb. As they walked with the body in the coffin toward the family tomb woman followed crying dramatically and pouring dirt over themselves. As they walked into the tomb, they would complete the “opening of the mouth” ceremony a model of an adze, a wood working tool touched the mouth of the mummy and a spell was read. The ending of the spell said “you are young again; you shall live again; you are young again forever” (Museum, 2010) . It was believed that the spirit of the deceased was now free and able to start their journey to the afterlife.

Canopic Jars stored the organs of the body for the afterlife. Canopic jar stoppers have images of the Gods to protect the organs.

Older style coffin which still show scripture written

Inside a tomb, drawings reflect social status of individual and family.

Coffins would have symbols and scripture on it defining the person and family status. Notice the beard on the coffin. It was a sign royalty.