Happy Halloween! It's "Mummy" Day!

This week, we have looked at how the Nile River shaped Ancient Egypt.  This gave us some exposure to Egyptian religious beliefs as well, with many of you noting yesterday that the system of gods and goddesses appeared to be hierarchical in nature.  How did the Egyptians answer the big questions?  How did we get here?  Why are we here?  How do we explain the good and the bad stuff that happens to us?  What happens to us when we die?

EGYPTIAN VISION OF THE AFTERLIFE: MUMMIFICATION

One of the most important points to be made about Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife was that it persisted for over three thousand years.  Compare the two "mummifications" below, one pre-dynastic and one thought to be of the Old Kingdom (one thousand year difference):

                          

How did they make a mummy?  Play this game from the Oriental Institute to find out. 

http://oi-archive.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/ED/mummy.html

Here's another one, available at the British Museum:
http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/mummies/activity/main.html

http://discoverykids.com/games/mummy-maker/

As argued in your homework reading, the Egyptians covered the walls of the tombs with spells and guides to the afterlife.  This comes from the Book of the Dead.

YOUR CLASS INTERPRETATIONS:  Afraid of uncertainty, they drew comfort from the idea of the afterlife to explain what happens to us after we die. Appealing to the gods and goddesses, the rituals and spells, they can take comfort against the unexpected, the uncertain, and protect their loved ones.  During life, they celebrated and praised what gave them life.  In death, they wanted to perpetuate the life they enjoyed.  According to the Book of the Dead, to be a good person, an Egyptian should strive to be religious (respect gods), selfless, pious, generous, pacifist/peaceful, helpful, charitable, and honest.