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The Mummification Museum teaches us about the most powerful secrets of the pharaohs.
The ancient Egyptians believed the underground world of the dead, watched over by Osiris dwelt that they are protected in the afterlife by mummification. They believed that the survival of the body was necessary for the survival of the seven different elements of their being ie: the physical body - which was mummified, wrapped in linen and protected with amulets and placed in a coffin.
The Ka, representing the vital life force.
The Ba - often represented by a human headed Ba bird. The Ba bird could take on any shape as it revisited the world of the living and travelled across the sky in the sun-dog's boat always returning to reunite with its body in the tomb.
The Akh - the most unearthly of spirits that severed all ties with mortal remains in order to join the stars.
The Ib representing the aware heart - this could determine the worth of its owner during judgement.
The Rn (the name of the deceased) - carved on the walls of the tombs and chanted to keep the deceased name forever.
The Shwt - the inseparable shadow that remained with the body.
The ancient Egyptians believed that the preservation of the physical body was necessary as if it decayed so would the soul
There are two other symbols vital to the Egyptians in their mummification process. The Ankh (Key of Life) - symbol of life itself.
The Djed Pillar - symbol of stability believed to be linked to the backbone of Osiris.
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