The process of mummification describes how in which the body of a dead body can be preserved. This preservation may happen naturally or be done intentionally by humans. Bodies are naturally preserved under specific conditions, such as freezing temperatures, high acidity, or dry environments. A notable type of intentional mummification originated in Egyptian history, where the dead were covered in bandages to stop decomposition and preserve the body for the next world.
Preserved bodies, including humans and animals, have been found on every continent, often because of natural preservation or ritualistic preservation. In Egypt, more than a million animal mummies have been uncovered, many of them cats. The Egyptian mummification techniques was highly ceremonial. Egyptians would extract the brain via the nostrils, and removed all major internal organs, keeping only the heart inside the body. This was because the heart was central to the ceremony in the afterlife. All other organs were placed in canopic jars, which were laid to rest with the body.
Today, mummification has evolved into a new practice within certain BDSM communities. Here, the concept of mummification is part of role-playing scenarios, where one person, playing the role of the "slave," is bound tightly by another, the "master." Only the nostrils are left exposed to ensure oxygen flow. The items used to wrap the body range from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Though the activity retains the term mummification, its purpose in BDSM centers around domination and restraint rather than maintaining the body's condition.
**Conclusion**
Mummification has transformed from its origins in early death rituals to modern-day practices in subcultures like BDSM. Though its ancient goal focused on preserving the body for the afterlife, the contemporary practice is about control and role-play. Despite the differences, both forms of mummification demonstrate a shared human interest in mastery, whether controlling life or death or within social relationships.