© Photographic imagery courtesy of SGI
Wrapped mummy of Nesperennub

 

• Larger image

Previous tour

tour 4 of 12

Next tour

Mummy: The Inside Story

Wrapping the body

Before being placed inside the cartonnage case, Nesperennub's body was wrapped. This ensured that all the essential parts of the corpse remained together, and it also created the correct appearance of the dead person. Important gods were depicted wrapped in a cloak or shroud and by making the bodies of the dead look similar, the Egyptians intended to show that, after death, they became god-like.

CT scans of Nesperennub clearly show the many layers of wrappings that the embalmers placed around his body. The first wrappings were placed underneath him, and his head was covered. The torso and limbs were then individually wrapped and amulets - small figurines or images believed to offer protection or power to their owner - were put in place. The limbs were then confined within broad strips of linen and the outermost shroud was held in place by retaining bands.