Chapter 2, Student Web Activities, Glencoe World History, Glencoe, 2003

Chapter 2: Western Asia and Egypt, 3500–500 B.C.
"Death and the Afterlife"

Introduction
Archaeologists have discovered artistic images, written inscriptions, and other artifacts alongside the mummies in Egyptian burial tombs. By studying mummification and other burial customs, we can gain an understanding of what ancient Egyptians believed about death and the afterlife.

Destination Title: Life in Ancient Egypt

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Directions

Start at the Life in Ancient Egypt page of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History Web site.

Scroll down and click on Funerary Customs.
Read the article, taking notes as you go. Also click on linked terms in the article and read the related articles.

After you have read the information, answer the following questions.

1. What was the purpose of mummification? Why did people want their bodies preserved after death?

2. How long did the process of mummification take, and what were the main steps involved?

3. What do the scenes and inscriptions in burial tombs tell us about how the spirit was preserved?

4. What was the "weighing of the heart"?

5. Discuss in class the ancient Egyptians' beliefs about death. What can we conclude about their beliefs based on their burial customs? In a short essay, using a separate pice of paper, select three or more ancient Egyptian burial customs and explain the religious belief(s) behind those customs.