The Accidental Mummy: How Did Mummification Begin? (Video)
Mummification has long been an area of interest in history, and the potential origins of this practice have been a subject of discussion for some time. A possible explanation was discovered in the desert of Gebelein, located just south of Luxor. Here, evidence of Egypt's earliest death rites was uncovered, suggesting that the myths driving Egyptians to mummify their own bodies had roots that were much older than the ancient civilization itself.
The discovery of a 5,400-year-old mummified body in the area was of particular interest, as it showed no signs of intentional mummification. Instead, it was believed that the hot and dry desert sand had inadvertently preserved the man's body, highlighting how the Egyptians may have been inspired by natural mummies to develop the process of mummification themselves. This theory is significant because it provides a fascinating insight into the development of one of the most well-known practices in ancient Egypt.
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Top image: Egyptian mummy. Source: esebene / Adobe Stock.
