The process of mummification refers to the method through which the body of a corpse can be preserved. This preservation can happen through natural means or be done intentionally by humans. Bodies are naturally preserved when exposed to particular environments, such as glacial climates, acidic bogs, or dry climates. One of the most famous forms of intentional mummification comes from Egyptian history, where corpses were wrapped in bandages to preserve their bodies and keep the body for the journey to the afterlife.
Mummies, both human and animal, have been found on every continent, often because of natural preservation or ritualistic preservation. In Egypt, in excess of a million mummified animals have been found, including a large number of cats. The Egyptian mummification techniques was very symbolic. Egyptians would extract the brain via the nostrils, and extracted most internal organs, keeping only the heart inside the body. This was because the heart was crucial for the ceremony in the afterlife. The removed organs were put into canopic jars, which were buried with the mummy.
In modern times, mummification has taken on a new form within certain BDSM practices. Here, the practice of wrapping the body is used in a role-playing context, where one person, known as the "slave," is completely wrapped by another, the "master." Only the nostrils are left exposed for breathing. The wrapping materials can include duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. Though the activity retains the term mummification, in the BDSM context centers around domination and restraint and not about preservation.
**To conclude**
Mummification has evolved significantly from its origins in ancient Egyptian death practices to present-day practices in alternative lifestyles. Although its original intention was about preserving the body for the afterlife, the modern interpretation focuses on power dynamics. Though these two forms differ, both forms of mummification reveal a fascination with control, whether controlling life or death or in controlling others.