The main purpose of this investigation is to test and analyse Mummion. By doing this we would hopefully be able to see what chemicals it contained.
by
hollomon_tess (student)
Assignment 2.4 – A preservative for mummies
2.4.1 Introduction
What is mummification?
Mummification is an ancient Greek method which is intended to dehydrate the body. This would preserve the body. They believed that the body needed to be intact to serve as host for the soul. If the body was left to rot, it would destroy their soul. The process of mummification would entail the removal of the brain and other internal organs, each of these then mummified and then stored in jars. This then led on to the drying out process. The body would then be left outside to dry. After the body was completely dry. It would lead onto the wrapping of the body. The body would be wrapped. A final shroud piece would be placed on the mummy to keep all of the wrappings together. Mummion was added to the shroud to ‘give’ it all together.
What is Mummion and what is it used for?
Natron (Mummion) is a colourless salt found in various locations in the earth. Mummion is a dehydrated sodium carbonate mineral. Natron is known commonly to be used for mummification. Artists have also mixed it with minerals and oils to create the colour ‘Egyptian blue’. Also mixed with oils and minerals can produce soaps. Mummion can also be used as a cleaning product.
What is the purpose of this investigation?
The main purpose of this investigation is to test and analyse Mummion. By doing this we would hopefully be able to see what chemicals it contained. We would have to purify the preservative, and analyse what happens during each qualitative analysis of the Mummion.
