Adding Amulets - A Step-By-Step Guide To Egyptian Mummification For Kids - Part 9 of 12
Welcome to the next part of our Step-By-Step Guide To Egyptian Mummification For Kids. You can find out what's happened so far in our Mummification journey, here.
If you've joined us for every step of this (rather messy!) mummification journey so far, you'll remember that we pulled out all of out all of the organs from the body of our dead Pharaoh (What? The Pharaoh died? Oh no! Cry, cry, cry, etc). Then after giving that body a good soak in natron salt and popping those goopy organs in Canopic Jars, we wrapped that body up all warm and snuggly in grannie's old knickers!
We're so close to the end of the embalming process. So lets roll up our sleeves and dive right in to step 9.
Step 9 – Amulets
We can’t rightly send the Pharaoh off on the long journey to the afterlife without a bit of protection. Who knows what dangers could be lurking between our world and the Field of Reeds? Luckily, we have a tonne of good luck charms at our disposal. These charms are called amulets.
Amulets are small magical objects that keep the soul and the body of the deceased safe and guarded from evil stuff. These amulets need to be slotted between the linen bandages as you wrap the Pharaoh’s body.
There are heaps of different amulets to choose from (Tutankhamun has 143 amulets wrapped up around his body!), but here are a few popular ones you may want to include:
The Eye of Horus. This is a good all-rounder if you’re not sure what other amulets to go for. The Eye of Horus has very strong protective powers and will keep the whole body safe.
The Scarab Beetle. Remember when I told you how important the heart was? Well, it’s so important that it gets its own protective amulet! Make sure to place this scarab beetle amulet over the heart area.
The Face Mask. To help the Pharaoh’s soul recognise their old body (apparently this is quite difficult to do after you’re dead, who knew?), make a gold replica of their face and pop it over their head.
The Ankh. Many ancient Egyptians wear the Ankh (the symbol for eternal life) on a necklace during their lives, so why do it any differently after you die? Pop the Ankh around the Pharaoh’s neck in the hopes that it might help them find eternal life in the afterlife.
Right, that’s it! No more faffing around poking and prodding dead bodies for you! The embalming process is finished. Now, all that’s left is to chuck the Pharaoh’s body in a tomb, seal it up and have a big party, right?
Well, kind of.
