News Anthropology

Origins of Egyptian mummy making may predate pyramids

Embalming mixture used to wrap bodies for burial appeared as early as 6,330 years ago

woven material used for mummifiction

PRESERVED PRESERVATIVE  Woven material placed on an Egyptian corpse more than 5,000 years ago contains traces of the embalming substances that were also used much later to mummify dead pharaohs, researchers say.

© Ron Oldfield, J. Jones

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

Ancient Egyptians’ practice of mummifying the dead got its start as early as 6,330 years ago among groups that farmed and raised animals, a contested new study suggests.