41. Reading Skills Comprehension: The Egyptian mummies

The Egyptian mummies

The Egyptian mummies have always remained a fascination for all. The methods of embalming or treating the dead body, that the ancient Egyptians used, is called mummification. Using special processes, they removed all moisture from the dead body, leaving only a dried form that would not easily decay. It was an important Egyptian religious belief to preserve the dead body in as lifelike a manner as possible.
The first step in the process was the removal of all internal parts that might decay rapidly. The brain was removed by carefully inserting special hooked instruments up through the nostrils. It was a delicate operation, one which could easily disfigure the face. The embalmers then removed the organs of the abdomen and chest through a cut usually made on the left side of the abdomen. They left only the heart in place, believing it to be the centre of a person’s being and intelligence. The other organs were preserved separately, with the stomach, liver, lungs, and intestines placed in special boxes or jars. Such jars are today called the canopic jars. The embalmers next removed all moisture from the body. This they did by covering the body with natron, a type of salt which has great drying Properties, and by placing additional natron packets inside the body.

Questions:

(a) What is Mummification?
(b) What did the Egyptians believe about the heart?
(c) Why was the brain removed carefully?
(d) Why was a cut made on the left side of the abdomen?
(e) Find words from the passage which mean the same as:
(i) attraction,   (ii) characteristics.
(f) What is Natron?

 Answers:

(a) Mummification is the process by which a dead body the ancient was preserved by Egyptians.
(b) The Egyptians believed about the heart is the centre of a person’s existence.
(c) The brain was removed carefully because it was a delicate operation which could disfigure the face.
(d)A cut made on the left side of the abdomen for removing, the organs of abdomen and chest
(e) (i) fascination, (ii) properties.
(f) Natron is a type of salt which has great drying properties.

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