Mummification is the process through which the tissues of a corpse can be preserved. This process of preservation can occur naturally or be performed through human intervention. Natural mummification occurs in certain environments, such as glacial climates, high acidity, or dry environments. One well-known example of intentional mummification is from Egyptian history, where the dead were wrapped in bandages to stop decomposition and preserve the body for the next world.
Mummified remains, both human and animal, have been unearthed on every continent, often due to natural preservation or intentional rituals. In Egypt, over one million animal mummies have been found, a significant number being cats. The method of mummification in ancient Egypt was very symbolic. They removed the brain through the nose, and took out most of the body's organs, except for the heart. This was because the heart was central to the "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony. The other organs were stored in canopic jars, which were laid to rest with the body.
Today, mummification has evolved into a new practice within certain BDSM practices. Here, the practice of wrapping the body is used in a role-playing context, where one person, referred to as the "slave," is wrapped tightly by another, the "master." Only the nostrils are left exposed to ensure oxygen flow. The wrapping materials range from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Although this practice shares the name, its purpose in BDSM centers around restraint and control and not about preserving the body.
**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, the contemporary practice 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.