The Mummification of Votive Birds: Past and Present

Abstract

A mummy is defined as a ‘well-preserved dead body’ (Cockburn, Cockburn and Reyman 1998, 1), achieved by either natural or anthropogenic methods and refers to both human and animal subjects. Mummies achieved through both these methods are found in ancient Egypt as a result of preservation through desiccation, achieved by direct contact between the corpse and a dry, sandy matrix (natural); or through the use of natron (anthropogenic), coupled with evisceration (the removal of the internal organs) and anointment with resinous compounds, followed by wrapping the corpse in layers of linen (Ikram and Dodson 1998; Taylor 2001).

Keywords

• post depositional process
• domestic animals
• mummification
• funerary
• neolithic
• newest era
• egypt
• united kingdom