Give a detailed account of mummification in Egypt. What was it used for and how was it practiced? What was its mythological significance?

Death and the afterlife, as in any early civilization, played a hugely significant role in Egyptian culture. However it has proven to be the defining factor of Egyptian culture thanks to the fact that, because the mummies, tombs and pyramids have been so well preserved, there has been an incredible amount of archeological evidence to explore. This has led many to believe that the Egyptians were in fact obsessed with death. Not so, the fact …

…is here that the body will rest, preserved forever and surrounded by all its finery and paraphernalia, essential to a long and prosperous afterlife. Word Count, 1386. Bibliography. http://www2.worldbook.com/features/features.asp?feature=ancient_egypt&page=html/mummies_tuttomb.html&direct=yes - accessed - 27/03/04 The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt (Oxford Illustrated Histories) Shaw, Ian. Oxford Press; (July 2002) Medicine and Mummification Rites of the Royal Pharaohs Doubleday; (November 1989)