Unearthed by a team led by Dr. Salima Ikram, an Egyptologist at the American University in Cairo, the workshop is more than 3,000 years old and believed to date back to the 18th Dynasty. It offers a unique glimpse into the specialized skills and techniques employed by ancient Egyptian embalmers.
The workshop, which is part of a tomb complex, contains various materials used in the mummification process, such as linen bandages, resins, unguents, and natron (a form of sodium carbonate). Excavations have also uncovered tools believed to have been utilized by embalmers, including bronze razors, needles, and linen cutters.
One of the most significant discoveries in the workshop is a series of hieroglyphic inscriptions on the walls. These inscriptions provide detailed instructions on the sequence and methods used in mummification, offering invaluable insights into the ancient Egyptian embalming practices.
Based on the inscriptions, it appears that the mummification process involved multiple stages:
Removal of the Brain: Using specialized hooks, the embalmers would carefully remove the brain through the nose.
Evisceration: Through an incision in the abdomen, the embalmers would remove the internal organs, except for the heart and kidneys, which were believed to be essential for the afterlife.
Washing and Cleansing: The body would be thoroughly washed with water mixed with natron to remove all impurities.
Packing of the Body: The body's cavities would be filled with linen and natron, while the body itself was anointed with various oils and resins.
Bandaging: The body would then be extensively wrapped in linen bandages treated with resin, creating a protective layer.
Final Rites: After the bandaging process was complete, the mummy would be covered with jewelry and amulets, and the deceased's name and titles would be inscribed on the outer layers of wrappings.
It's worth noting that the mummification techniques discovered in this workshop are specific to the New Kingdom period of ancient Egyptian history and may have varied over time and across different regions.
The new clues offered by this workshop provide valuable information for researchers studying ancient Egyptian funerary practices and mummification rites, shedding light on an essential aspect of ancient Egyptian civilization and their beliefs in the afterlife.
