Mummies of the pharaohs of Egypt

Ancient Egypt, probably, the most famous civilization of the ancient world. The people who lived on the banks of the Nile for a thousand years before our era, had their own unique Pantheon of gods and a rich culture. In the popular consciousness with Ancient Egypt most associated the mummies of the pharaohs, which attracted interest with its mystery and belonging to a cult of death.

The Importance of mummification

The Ancient Egyptians believed that after death a person goes to the afterlife. Therefore bodies of the richest and most influential people in the country after the death necessarily subjected to mummification. It did with the pharaohs, the high priests, aristocrats. The processing of the corpse was full of various intricacies that were known in Ancient Egypt.

The Superstitious inhabitants of the African countries believed that the mummies of the pharaohs to help their owners to freely go to the afterlife. In the mass consciousness there was a strong opinion that the rulers are of divine origin, did their connection with the supernatural phenomena more closely. The mummies of the pharaohs were buried in special tombs-the pyramids. This style of architecture was unique Egyptian invention, which was an unprecedented innovation in the Ancient world. Neither in the Mediterranean nor in the area between anything like that then did not build. The most famous are the pyramids of Giza.

Mummification Process

Mummification was considered the prerogative of the elite, but in fact it was possible to buy, if the person wanted to ensure a peaceful stay in the afterlife and if he had enough money for this. But there were procedures that are available only to pharaohs and members of their family. For example, their organs were placed in special vessels (canopy). To do this, the dead body has been cut in a special way. The holes were filled with oil, which was merged a few days. Masters who practiced mummification were the privileged members of society. They were known available for other science of embalming. Throughout the centuries of Egyptian civilization these secrets not known to other Nations, such as the Sumerians.

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The Bodies in the vessels were stored near the sarcophagus of the mummy. Secrets of the pharaohs were buried with their bodies. In the tomb were placed all personal belongings, which, according to the religious belief of the ancient Egyptians, and later also served owners in the afterlife. It was the same with the organs that were supposed to go back to the pharaohs, when they will be on the other side of existence.

Processing the mummies

The Treated body was subjected to drying, which could last up to 40 days. The procedure allowed him to survive for many years. In order for the body not lost its shape from the natural processes, it was filled with a special solution that contained sodium. Necessary substances to the embalmers extracted on the banks of the Nile, which was sacred river of all civilization.

The mummies of the pharaohs of Egypt were also subjected to treatment by cosmetologists and hairdressers. At the last stage the body was covered with a special oil made of wax, resin and other natural ingredients. Finally the corpse was wrapped in bandages and placed in a sarcophagus, where he wore the mask. The entire process of mummification took about 70 days and involved the labor of dozens of people. Secret craft were taught the priests of the cult of the Egyptian gods. To disclose it was impossible. Violators of the law waiting for the death penalty.

Valley of kings

Along with the mummy in the tomb were buried all deceased estates: jewellery, furniture, gold and chariots, which were generally a symbol of belonging to the main social stratum. Members of one family usually had their own tomb, which became the family crypt. Archaeologists find these pyramids by a few mummies. There was the sacred place where it was built especially a lot of pyramids. They were in southern Egypt. This is the Valley of the kings and Valley of the Queens. Here found their peace representatives of several dynasties that ruled the ancient government.

The Ancient capital of Egypt was the city of Thebes. It is the famous Valley of the kings. This vast necropolis, which contained a mummy of the pharaohs. The valley was discovered almost by accident brothers Resolume scientists during their expedition in 1871. Since then, the work of archaeologists here do not stop for one day.

Cheops

One of the most famous is the mummy of Pharaoh Cheops. He ruled Egypt in the XXVI century BC It was known to ancient historians, including Herodotus. This fact suggests that this Pharaoh was really great, even compared to its predecessors and successors, because the names of many pharaohs are not preserved in any historical source.

The great was a despot, sternly Kara submitted for any mistake. He was ruthless to his enemies. This character was familiar to the rulers of Ancient Egypt, whose power, as did his contemporaries, was descended from the gods, which gave the cops a carte Blanche to any whims. The people did not try to resist. Also Cheops became known for having fought in the Sinai Peninsula against the Bedouin.

Pyramid of Khufu

But the greatest achievement of this Pharaoh is a pyramid, which was built for his own mummy. The rulers of Egypt were preparing for his death in advance. Already during the life of the Pharaoh began the construction of his pyramid where he was to find his eternal rest. No exception to this rule was the Cheops.

However, his pyramid and was struck by its size of all of his contemporaries and ancestors. She was included in the list of 7 ancient wonders of the world and remains the only monument from this list, which lasted until our days.

The Cult complex at Giza

The Lost mummy of the Egyptian Pharaoh were kept inside a huge maze of corridors inside the building with a height of 137 meters. This figure was beaten only in the late XIX century, when in Paris there is the Eiffel tower. Cheops himself chose the site of his tomb. They became the plateau on the territory of the modern city of Giza. In his era it was the Northern edge of the cemetery of ancient Memphis-capital of Egypt.

Together with the pyramid was created by the monumental sculpture of the Great Sphinx, which is known around the world is not worse than the pyramid. Cheops is expected that over time this place will be a whole complex of ritual structures devoted to his dynasty.

Ramses II

Another great Pharaoh of Egypt was Ramses II. He ruled almost the whole of his long life (1279-1213 BC). His name went down in history thanks to a series of military campaigns against neighbors. Best known for the conflict with the Hittites. Ramses built a lot in life. He founded several cities, most of which were named after him.

It was the Governor who changed and transformed Ancient Egypt. The mummies of the pharaohs were often the objects of hunting gravediggers. Was no exception, the tomb of Ramses II. The priests of Egypt were sure that the Royal necropolis remained intact. While the ancient civilization still existed, the body of this ruler reburied several times. First, the mummy of Pharaoh Rameses were placed in the crypt of his own father. It is unknown exactly when he was sacked, but in the end, the priests found a new place for the body. They became carefully hidden cache that belonged to the Pharaoh Herihor. There was placed the mummy of the other tombs robbed by the robbers. It was the body of Thutmose III and Ramses III.

The Fight against looters

The Hiding place was discovered only in the XIX century. First, it found Arab grave robbers. In those times it was a lucrative business because in the African Sands was still a lot of treasures, which were sold for a good price on the European black markets. Usually, robbers are interested in treasures and jewels, and mummies of the pharaohs of Egypt. Photo of ruined tombs confirm this trend.

However, already in the XIX century, the Egyptian government created a special Ministry, which tracked the illegal trade in antiquities. Soon the source of the jewels was discovered. So in 1881, the intact mummy of Ramses fell into the hands of scientists. Since then it was stored in various museums. By studying it, researchers around the world still receive new information about mummification. In 1975, the remains were subjected to a unique procedure of modern conservation, which has helped to keep surviving artifact of the past.

This case – an extreme success for the scientific community. As a rule, when they discover a new tomb in it nothing remains, including mummies. Secrets of the pharaohs and their riches for centuries attracted adventurers and traders.

Tutankhamun

In popular culture the most famous mummy of Tutankhamun. The Pharaoh rules at a young age in 1332 1323 BC He died at the age of 20 years. During his lifetime he did not stand out in a series of his predecessors and successors. His name became known due to the fact that his tomb was untouched by ancient looters.

The Modern scientific study of mummies has allowed a detailed study of the circumstances of the death of a young man. Before it was the popular opinion that king tut was violently murdered by his Regent. However, this does not confirm the mummy of the Pharaoh of Egypt. The pyramid in which it was kept, was full of bottles of medicine against malaria. Modern DNA analysis did not exclude the version that the young man had a severe illness, which died prematurely.

When a team of archaeologists has discovered the tomb in 1922, he was full of all sorts of unique artifacts. It is the tomb of Tutankhamun has allowed modern science to recreate that atmosphere in which to bury the mummies of the pharaohs of Egypt. Photo of the tomb immediately infiltrated the Western media and became a sensation.

The Curse of the pharaohs

Still a lot of hype around Tutankhamun's tomb began when he suddenly died Lord George Carnavon, which funded the study of distant finding. The Englishman died in a Cairo hotel shortly after was opened the ancient tomb. The press immediately picked up the story. Soon there were new deaths associated with the archeological expedition. In the press rumors that there is a curse that fell on the heads of those who entered the tomb.

Popularpoint of view was the idea that the source of evil was the mummy of a Pharaoh. Photos of the dead were widely replicated in the obituaries. Over time, there are denials, which were razvenchivaet the myth of the curse. Nevertheless, the legend became a popular story of Western culture. In the XX century there were a number of feature films devoted to the curse.

Largely thanks to them the theme of Ancient Egypt has gained popularity among the broader public. Famous are the any news, in which appears one or the other mummy. The tomb of the pharaohs that would be safe and untouched and has not been found since the discovery of Tutankhamun.