Mummification was the process of preserving the body to ensure the deceased's survival in the afterlife.

Egyptians believed a person's soul, composed of the 'ka' and 'ba,' needed a recognizable body to return to.

The process involved removing the internal organs, except for the heart, which was believed to be the center of intelligence.

The liver, lungs, stomach, and intestines were preserved separately in containers called canopic jars.

The body was then dried out for 40 days using natron, a natural salt.

After drying, the body was wrapped in hundreds of yards of linen bandages, with protective amulets placed between the layers.

The 'Opening of the Mouth' ceremony was a ritual performed on the mummy to magically restore its senses for the afterlife.

The 'Book of the Dead' was a collection of spells and texts intended to guide the deceased through the underworld.

The final judgment involved the 'Weighing of the Heart' ceremony, where the deceased's heart was weighed against the feather of Ma'at (truth).

While elaborate for royalty, simpler forms of mummification were practiced by those who could afford it.