History of Embalming: and of Preparations in Anatomy, Pathology, and Natural History; Including an Account of a New Process for EmbalmingGannal, J.-N. (Jean-Nicolas)
History
History of Embalming: and of Preparations in Anatomy, Pathology, and Natural History; Including an Account of a New Process for Embalming
Gannal, J.-N. (Jean-Nicolas)
Anatomical specimens -- Collection and preservation; Embalming -- History; Mummies
In fine, Rouelle has analysed the substance of embalmings, and the
result of the analysis made on six mummies gave him for two, amber,
for the four others, Jew’s pitch or pisasphaltum, a mixture, into the
composition of which, Jew’s pitch enters. Rouelle met with no traces
of myrrh in any mummy. From these facts he arrives at the following
conclusion: “Our experiments, then, furnish us with three materially
different embalmings. The first, with Jew’s pitch; the second, with
a mixture of bitumen, and the liquor of cedar, or _cedria_; and the
third, with that mixture, to which they have added resinous and very
aromatic matters.”
We confine ourselves to these reflections upon the processes described
by the ancients, and given by them as those alone practised in Egypt.
We are going to cite some passages from the very remarkable memoir
of M. Rouyer, from which it will be readily perceived that they were
ignorant of several methods in use among these people. Nevertheless, it
is just to give here some explanations which throw new light upon the
sources which we have reproduced; they are principally extracted from
the memoir of the Count de Caylus.
The exhibition of models on the part of the embalmers, had reference
to the richness of the work demanded, and to the expense of the chosen
form. The first model, which Herodotus had scruples in naming, was
probably the figure of some divinity, (_Isis._) Herodotus does not
mention the price, and it is probable, that Diodorus has made his
valuations without being any too well acquainted with them. According
to his estimation, the first cost one talent, (about nine hundred
dollars of our money;) the second, twenty mina, (three hundred
dollars;) the third, a trifle, (vague.) Diodorus continues in these
terms: “The office of burying is a particular profession, which, like
all others, has been learned from infancy. Those who exercise it, go
to the relatives of the deceased with a scale or rate of charges, and
request them to make a selection. Having agreed, they take the body and
give it to the officers whose duty it is to prepare it.”
In the head, which was sent by M. de Caylus, the skull had been
actually pierced through the nostrils, and the bottom of the right
orbit opened. As to perfume, the exception in favour of the incense
is probably made out of respect to the divinity. He observed no trace
of incision, nor were they at all necessary. The extreme dryness of
the skin, and the solidity it acquires by the bitumen, renders such
operation useless.
The Egyptians employed their natrum as we employ lime, to prepare
and tan leather. Also kommi, or gum Arabic of Senegal. As respects
bandages, they had many kinds; whether as regards the quality of the
linen, or the manner of arranging them, more simple or more complex.
As many as a thousand ells of these narrow bands have been found on a
single mummy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account