Egyptian Embalmers Plug

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Egypt

Late period or Ptolemaic 644-30 BC

As Herodotus writes, the ancient Egyptians had a myriad of ways to prepare the body for the afterlife, and among them was a technique involving the use of oil. The skilled embalmers would inject the oil into the anus of the deceased, allowing it to travel through the digestive system, dissolving the once vital intestines. This process allowed for the intestines to be removed without the need for the evisceration process, which was a common step in other methods of mummification.

Once the intestines had liquefied the plug would be removed and fluid drained out, the body was then carefully placed in natron, a naturally occurring salt, to dry out the remaining flesh. The drying process could take up to 70 days, as the natron absorbed the moisture and helped to prevent any further decay.

After the body was fully dried, it was then wrapped in bandages, creating a cocoon-like covering that would protect the body for eternity. This technique, though not as commonly used as others, allowed for the preservation of the body and helped to ensure the journey to the afterlife was successful.