Luxor's Mummification Museum sheds light on history of ancient Egypt

LUXOR, EGYPT - SEPTEMBER 29, 2023: The Mummification Museum, located on the edge of the Nile River in the eastern city of Luxor, Egypt, is visited by hundreds of local and foreign tourists every day.The Museum opened 26 years ago in Luxor, hosts approximately 150 historical artifacts that shed light on the ancient Egyptian period.The mummies of some pharaohs, as well as animals such as crocodiles, cats, fish and monkeys, which were considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians, have been displayed in the museum. They are described as "the favorite of archaeological tourism" in the country.The museum, also contains the materials used in the mummification process in ancient Egypt.Ancient Egyptians attached importance to preserving the bodies of deceased pharaohs and some animals that were considered sacred, as they believed that they would be resurrected after death and that there was another life after death.According to Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the mummification process consists of various steps that take approximately 70 days.It is stated that the process began with removing the internal organs of the deceased and cleaning the body, then drying the body with sodium salt and finally wrapping it in linen fabrics.Internal organs are also mummified and preserved in pottery-style containers, canopic jars. Magic amulets were placed inside the wrappings to prevent the mummified bodies from deteriorating as well.Writing by Sibel Dundar.(Footage by Adam Abdulfattah/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)