Curriculum Guide
Curriculum Guide Year 3 Autumn 2 (2015)
Mummification by the Monkeys
First the body was taken by the embalmers Leo and Ella and the priest to the tent known as ‘ibu’ or the ‘place of purification’.
The body was washed with good-smelling palm wine and rinsed with water from the Nile.
One of the embalmer’s Ella makes a cut in the left side of the body and removes many of the internal organs. It is important to remove these because they are the first part of the body to decompose or rot.
The embalmer removes the liver, lungs, stomach and intestines. These are washed and packed in salt which will dry them out.
A long hook is used to smash the brain and pull it out through the nose. It is thrown away as the Egyptians didn’t think this was an important organ. Leo really enjoyed doing this!
The embalmer then washes the body and covers it in oils to protect the skin.Everyone then helps to wrap the body in bandages.
The priest (Anubus) Andrew reads spells out loud while the mummy is being wrapped. These spells will help ward off evil spirits and help the dead body make the journey to the afterlife.
The arms and legs are tied together. A papyrus scroll with spells from the Book of the Dead is placed between the wrapped hands.
The body is then ready for its journey to the after life!
The children had a great day at the museum, exploring Egyptian artefacts. They were able to recall facts and information gathered during our IPC topic Temples, Tombs and Treasures.