Question 1

What is a mummy?

Accepted Answer

A mummy is a dead body that has been specially treated to stop it from rotting. The ancient Egyptians did this so the body would last a long time.

Question 2

Why did ancient Egyptians make mummies?

Accepted Answer

They made mummies because they believed in an afterlife where the person needed their body. Keeping the body safe and whole was very important for them to enjoy life after death.

Question 3

How did the Egyptians make a mummy?

Accepted Answer

First, they took out the organs that might rot, leaving the heart inside. Then, they dried the body out with a special salt called natron, and finally wrapped it in layers of cloth.

Question 4

What organs were removed from the body?

Accepted Answer

The brain, intestines, lungs, liver, and stomach were removed. They believed the heart was the most important organ, so they kept it inside the body.

Question 5

What did they do with the organs they took out?

Accepted Answer

The organs were cleaned and placed in special jars called canopic jars. Each jar was protected by a god and kept close to the mummy.

Question 6

Why did they wrap mummies in cloth?

Accepted Answer

They wrapped mummies in cloth to protect them and keep everything together. It also helped keep the body dry and safe for the afterlife.

Question 7

What is the name of the process ancient Egyptians used to make mummies?

Accepted Answer

The process of making a mummy is called mummification. It was a very special and important job for the ancient Egyptians.

Question 8

What were mummies placed in after they were made?

Accepted Answer

After mummification, the mummy was placed in a coffin or a series of coffins. Sometimes, the coffin would be beautifully decorated with pictures and writing.

Question 9

Did everyone in ancient Egypt become a mummy?

Accepted Answer

No, not everyone became a mummy. Making a mummy was expensive, so it was mostly done for pharaohs, nobles, and people who could afford it.

Question 10

What was natron used for in mummification?

Accepted Answer

Natron is a type of salt that dried out the body and stopped it from rotting. It was an important part of the mummification process.

Question 11

Why are ancient Egyptian mummies important today?

Accepted Answer

Mummies help us learn about life in ancient Egypt, including their beliefs and customs. Scientists also study mummies to understand more about how people lived long ago.

Question 12

How long did it take to make a mummy?

Accepted Answer

It took about 70 days to make a mummy from start to finish. This included the drying out with natron and wrapping the body in linen.

Question 13

What kinds of people were made into mummies?

Accepted Answer

Pharaohs, queens, and important or wealthy people were often made into mummies. Sometimes, animals like cats and dogs were also mummified because they were special to the Egyptians.

Question 14

What happened to the mummy after it was placed in the coffin?

Accepted Answer

The coffin was put in a tomb, which was a special place built to protect the mummy. The tomb might also hold treasures and items the person might need in the afterlife.

Question 15

Why did they keep the heart in the body?

Accepted Answer

Egyptians believed the heart controlled thoughts and feelings, and was needed in the afterlife. It was also thought to be weighed to determine if the person could enter the afterlife.

Question 16

Were all ancient Egyptian mummies human?

Accepted Answer

No, they also mummified animals like cats, birds, and even crocodiles. Animals were mummified because they were seen as sacred or as offerings to gods.

Question 17

What does a mummy look like?

Accepted Answer

A mummy looks like a human body wrapped tightly in white cloth. Sometimes, the cloth will have writing or drawings on it to protect the person.

Question 18

Did ancient Egyptians use anything to make mummies smell nice?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they used oils and perfumes to make the body smell nice and help preserve it. These were rubbed on the skin before the body was wrapped.

Question 19

What are canopic jars?

Accepted Answer

Canopic jars are special containers used to hold the organs removed from the body. Each jar had a lid shaped like a different god's head.

Question 20

Do we still find new mummies today?

Accepted Answer

Yes, archaeologists still discover new mummies from time to time. Each discovery helps us learn a little more about ancient Egypt and their way of life.

The Anatomy of Ancient Egyptian Mummies - 20 FAQs Explained Simply