Glencoe World History © 2010

Death and the Afterlife

Introduction
Archaeologists have discovered artistic images, written inscriptions, and other artifacts alongside the mummies in Egyptian burial tombs. By studying mummification and other burial customs, we can gain an understanding of what ancient Egyptians believed about death and the afterlife.

Destination Title: Life in Ancient Egypt: Funerary Customs

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• Click on “mummification” and read the information supplied. (Take notes as you scroll through the various parts of the Web site.)
• Click “Back” and scroll down to “shabtis.” Click on it and read the information.
• Click “Back” again and scroll down to “Weighing of the Heart.” Click on it, and then scan the text.

Use the information you found to answer the following questions.

1			What was the purpose of mummification? Why did people want their bodies preserved after death?
2			How long did the process of mummification take, and what were the main steps involved?
3			What were shabtis or ushabtis, and what function did they perform in the afterlife?
4			What was the “weighing of the heart”?
5			What can you conclude about the Egyptians’ beliefs about death based on their burial customs? Select three or more ancient Egyptian burial customs and explain the religious belief(s) behind those customs.