The Infinite Monkey Cage Egyptian Mummies
Feb 14, 2024
Comedians Russel Kane and Lucy Porter, along with bio-medical Egyptologists Rosalie David and Lidija McKnight, join Brian Cox and Robin Ince to explore the science of mummification and the intriguing lives of Ancient Egyptians. They discuss the sophisticated pharmacology of the Ancient Egyptians, their unique death rituals, the challenge of determining the cause of death for mummies, and even compare mummification to modern-day beauty trends. The episode concludes with a funny anecdote and a hint at the next episode on psychology and magic.
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How Egyptian Mummification Worked
- Egyptians developed deliberate chemical mummification when natural desert burials no longer preserved bodies.
- The process involved evisceration (keeping the heart) and dehydration with natron to ensure long-term preservation.
The Economy Of Animal Mummies
- Animal mummies served different roles: cult animals, food offerings, pets, and mass-produced votive offerings.
- Most votive mummies were industry-produced conduits to the gods rather than individually revered animals.
Ancient Egyptian Medical Sophistication
- Ancient Egyptian medicine produced written pharmaceutical recipes and specialist doctors.
- A Manchester study found 64% of their remedies were valid therapeutic treatments by modern standards.