1. What is the relationship between mummification and the natural environment? Provide specific examples from what you read during the previous lesson.
The relationship between mummification and the natural environment is very strong when it comes to unintentional mummification. There are many ways that a cadaver can be preserved in the natural environment. One of the ways is by freezing. The cold, ice and snow can cause this in high mountaneous areas, which include the Alps, the Himalayas, etc. One of the examples of this kind of preservation is Otzi, the iceman. He was recovered by a pair of hikers, in the Alps, on the border of Austria and Italy. The hikers thought that someone was murdered, and called the police, but archaeologists realized that they actually found an amazing historical find, that will help historians a lot in their research. Another way of natural mummification is through very warm, desert-like climate. Some of the mummies found have been recovered in deserts, where they have been completely dried up by the sand and the dry desert air, and, in that way, prevented from decomposing. Another condition that bodies are preserved in are mossy bogs. Bogs are made up of decayed vegetable matter, and serve as great natural preservers. Some bogs can even preserve the cadaver's brain, which can help historians learn more about the evolution of humans. Mummies are a great primary resource, and they have helped historians and archaeologists a lot, telling them more about the lifestyle, culture, and traditions of the ancient people.
2. What are some of the reasons,mummies have been made?Apart from people being naturally mummfied, there are a lot of cultures who intentionally mummified their dead. One of the reasons for that is an afterlife. People in ancient civilizations believed that once someone dies, their soul moves on to the underworld, where it lives forever. It was believed that the wealthier you are, the better afterlife you would have, because you would have more valuables to bring with you to the afterlife. Another reason people were mummified is because of sacrifices. In some civilizations, people were sacfriced, and then mummified, in honor of the gods. The last reason people were intentionally mummified is because they commited a crime. In ancient times, if you commited a crime, or broke a law, some ancient civilizations would sentence a death penalty, and then mummify the corpse afterwards.
The relationship between mummification and the natural environment is very strong when it comes to unintentional mummification. There are many ways that a cadaver can be preserved in the natural environment. One of the ways is by freezing. The cold, ice and snow can cause this in high mountaneous areas, which include the Alps, the Himalayas, etc. One of the examples of this kind of preservation is Otzi, the iceman. He was recovered by a pair of hikers, in the Alps, on the border of Austria and Italy. The hikers thought that someone was murdered, and called the police, but archaeologists realized that they actually found an amazing historical find, that will help historians a lot in their research. Another way of natural mummification is through very warm, desert-like climate. Some of the mummies found have been recovered in deserts, where they have been completely dried up by the sand and the dry desert air, and, in that way, prevented from decomposing. Another condition that bodies are preserved in are mossy bogs. Bogs are made up of decayed vegetable matter, and serve as great natural preservers. Some bogs can even preserve the cadaver's brain, which can help historians learn more about the evolution of humans. Mummies are a great primary resource, and they have helped historians and archaeologists a lot, telling them more about the lifestyle, culture, and traditions of the ancient people.
2. What are some of the reasons,mummies have been made?Apart from people being naturally mummfied, there are a lot of cultures who intentionally mummified their dead. One of the reasons for that is an afterlife. People in ancient civilizations believed that once someone dies, their soul moves on to the underworld, where it lives forever. It was believed that the wealthier you are, the better afterlife you would have, because you would have more valuables to bring with you to the afterlife. Another reason people were mummified is because of sacrifices. In some civilizations, people were sacfriced, and then mummified, in honor of the gods. The last reason people were intentionally mummified is because they commited a crime. In ancient times, if you commited a crime, or broke a law, some ancient civilizations would sentence a death penalty, and then mummify the corpse afterwards.
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