Mummy Makers Worksheet Mummy Makers
Field Report: Ancient Egyptian Afterlife
Name: ___________________________
Date: ____________________________
The Journey to the Afterlife
For the people of Ancient Egypt, death was not the end. Instead, it was the beginning of a long and dangerous journey to the **afterlife**, a wonderful place called the Field of Reeds. To make this journey, the Egyptians believed a person's soul, or Ka , needed to return to its body for food and rest. If the body decayed or disappeared, the Ka would get lost forever. This is why the Egyptians developed the complex science of mummification.
The 70-Day Process
Mummification was a careful process that took about 70 days. First, the body was washed with water from the Nile River. Special priests then removed the internal organs, which were dried and stored in four decorative containers called **canopic jars**. Each jar represented one of the four sons of Horus. For example, the jackal-headed god protected the stomach, while the hawk-headed god guarded the intestines. Interestingly, they left the heart inside the body because they believed it was the center of a person’s intelligence and soul.
Next, the body was covered in a natural salt called **natron**. This salt worked like a sponge, soaking up all the moisture from the body so it wouldn't rot. After 40 days of drying, the body was cleaned again and rubbed with fragrant oils and resins. Finally, it was wrapped in hundreds of yards of fine linen bandages. Priests would tuck small lucky charms, called **amulets**, between the layers of cloth. One popular amulet was the *scarab beetle*, which symbolized rebirth and new life.
The final step was the burial. The mummy was placed in a nested series of wooden boxes, which were then put inside a massive stone coffin called a **sarcophagus**. Families often left food, jewelry, and even board games in the tomb for the soul to use. They also included a "Book of the Dead," which contained magic spells to help the traveler pass through the trials of the underworld, including the "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony where the heart was judged against the feather of truth.
Comprehension Check
1. What was the primary reason the Ancient Egyptians mummified their dead?
To show off the person's wealth to other neighboring civilizations.
To provide a permanent home for the soul (Ka) so it would not get lost.
To ensure the body would eventually wake up and rule Egypt again.
To hide the remains of the deceased from tomb robbers and wild animals.
2. Order the steps of the mummification process (1-4):
The body is wrapped in linen bandages with protective amulets.
The internal organs are removed and dried in canopic jars.
The body is washed with water from the Nile River.
Natron salt is used to dry out all moisture from the body.
3. Define "natron" based on the text and explain its purpose.
4. Why was the heart left inside the body? How did this link to their beliefs about the soul?
5. Circle the correct answer for each statement:
The mummification process took exactly 40 days to complete.
TRUE FALSE
Each canopic jar was guarded by a different Egyptian god.
TRUE FALSE
The "Book of the Dead" helped the soul travel to the Field of Reeds.
TRUE FALSE
Mummy Makers Answer Key Answer Key
Mummy Makers Worksheet
1. Primary reason for mummification?
Correct: To provide a permanent home for the soul (Ka) so it would not get lost.
2. Order the steps (1-4):
4 The body is wrapped in linen bandages...
2 The internal organs are removed...
1 The body is washed with water from the Nile River.
3 Natron salt is used to dry out all moisture...
3. Definition of "natron" and purpose?
Natron is a natural salt found in Egypt. Its purpose was to act like a sponge and soak up all the moisture from the body during the 40-day drying period so the body would not rot or decay.
4. Why leave the heart? Link to soul?
The heart was left because Egyptians believed it was the center of a person's intelligence and soul. It was needed for the "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony in the afterlife, where it would be judged against the feather of truth to determine if the soul could enter the Field of Reeds.
5. True/False:
Process took 40 days (Total) FALSE (It took 70 days total)
Canopic jars guarded by gods TRUE (Sons of Horus)
Book of the Dead helped travel TRUE
Mummy Makers Slides Mummy Makers
The Science & Spirit of Ancient Egypt
Why Mummify?
Ancient Egyptians believed death was just a new beginning.
"The soul (Ka) needs a home to return to for food and rest."
Without a body, the Ka would be lost forever.
Destination:
STEP 1
Purification
Before anything else, the body was taken to a special tent called the ibu.
Priests washed the body with water from the Nile River.
STEP 2
Saving the Organs
The brain was removed and thrown away (the Egyptians thought it was useless!), but the lungs, stomach, liver, and intestines were saved.
Why leave the heart?
They believed the heart was the source of intelligence and would be needed for the final judgment.
Stomach
Intestines
Liver
Lungs
STEP 3
Natron Salt
The secret ingredient was Natron.
The body sat in salt for 40 days.
It soaked up every drop of moisture.
This stopped the body from rotting.
STEP 4
The Final Touch
Linen
Hundreds of yards of fine cloth wrapped the body.
Amulets
Lucky charms were tucked inside the bandages for protection.
Sarcophagus
The finished mummy was placed in a stone coffin.
The Weighing of the Heart
Your Heart
Feather of Truth
"If your heart was lighter than the feather, you could enter the Field of Reeds forever."
Recap: The 70-Day Journey
01
Wash and purify the body in the Nile water.
02
Remove organs and store in Canopic Jars (keep the heart!).
03
Dry the body for 40 days using Natron salt.
04
Wrap in linen with amulets and place in a Sarcophagus.
Mummy Makers Exit Ticket Exit Ticket: Mummy Makers
Final Reflection
Name: ___________________________
Date: ____________________________
1. In your own words, why did Ancient Egyptians spend 70 days mummifying their dead?
2. What was the role of natron in the mummification process?
3. One thing that surprised me about the Ancient Egyptian afterlife is...
Exit Ticket: Mummy Makers
Final Reflection
Name: ___________________________
Date: ____________________________
1. In your own words, why did Ancient Egyptians spend 70 days mummifying their dead?
2. What was the role of natron in the mummification process?
3. One thing that surprised me about the Ancient Egyptian afterlife is...
Exit Ticket Answer Key Exit Ticket Key
Mummy Makers Teacher Resource
Question 1: Why mummification?
Students should mention that Ancient Egyptians believed the soul (Ka) needed to return to the body for rest and food in the afterlife. If the body decayed or was lost, the soul could not live on.
Question 2: Purpose of Natron?
Students should identify natron as a natural salt used as a drying agent. It was crucial for soaking up moisture to prevent the body from rotting or decaying.
Question 3: Reflection
Answers will vary. Look for engagement with specific details from the lesson (e.g., throwing away the brain, the 70-day timeline, amulets, weighing of the heart, or canopic jars).
Mummy Makers Lesson Materials
