The process of mummification is the process through which the body of a deceased person can remain intact. This preservation can happen through natural means or be done intentionally by humans. Natural mummification occurs when exposed to particular environments, such as freezing temperatures, acidic environments, or dry environments. A notable type of intentional mummification originated in Egyptian civilization, where the dead were wrapped in bandages to prevent decay and keep the body for the afterlife.
Mummified remains, whether human or animal, have been discovered on every continent, often due to natural preservation or ritualistic preservation. Throughout Egypt, in excess of a million mummified animals have been uncovered, including a large number of cats. The Egyptian mummification techniques was very symbolic. Egyptians would extract the brain via the nostrils, and removed all major internal organs, leaving only the heart. This was because Egyptians believed the heart played a key role in the afterlife rituals. The removed organs were put into canopic jars, which were included in the burial.
In contemporary practices, mummification is being used differently in certain BDSM practices. Here, the practice of wrapping the body has become a form of role-play, where one person, referred to as the "slave," is completely wrapped by another, the "master." The nose is left uncovered to ensure oxygen flow. The items used to wrap the body vary from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Though the activity shares the name, in the BDSM context is focused on controlling the body rather than maintaining the body's condition.
**In summary**
Mummification has undergone vast changes from its roots in ancient burial rituals to contemporary practices within BDSM subcultures. While the traditional purpose focused on preserving the body for eternity, today's version is about control and role-play. Though these two forms differ, both forms of mummification reveal a fascination with control, whether it is over death or through interpersonal dynamics.