The art of preserving bodies describes how through which the body of a corpse can remain intact. This method of keeping bodies intact can occur naturally or be carried out by humans. Natural mummification happens in certain environments, such as glacial climates, acidic environments, or arid conditions. A notable type of intentional mummification is from Egyptian civilization, where the dead were covered in bandages to stop decomposition and maintain the corpse for the afterlife.
Mummified remains, including humans and animals, have been unearthed in many parts of the world, often due to natural preservation or ritualistic preservation. Throughout Egypt, more than a million animal mummies have been discovered, including a large number of cats. The Egyptian mummification techniques was highly ceremonial. The brain was removed using a hook through the nasal cavity, and took out most of the body's organs, keeping only the heart inside the body. This was because the heart was crucial for the ceremony in the afterlife. All other organs were placed 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 concept of mummification has become a form of role-play, where one person, playing the role of the "slave," is bound tightly by another, the "master." Only the nostrils are left exposed 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 restraint and control and not about maintaining the body's condition.
**In summary**
Mummification has transformed from its beginning in ancient Egyptian death practices to contemporary practices in alternative lifestyles. While the traditional purpose focused on preserving the body for the afterlife, the modern interpretation is about control and role-play. Though these two forms differ, both forms of mummification reflect a deep human interest in control, whether over death or within social relationships.