Mummy

ancient history · egypt · science

Preserved on purpose. Some mummies were carefully made by people using chemicals and special wrappings to stop the body from decaying.

Accidental mummies too. Nature can make mummies all by itself! Extreme cold, very dry air, or no air at all can preserve a body for thousands of years.

Stay cool and dry. A mummy keeps from decaying further as long as it's stored somewhere cool and dry.

Not just people. Animals can become mummies too! Ancient Egyptians even mummified cats, birds, and other creatures.

An old word. People have used the word 'mummy' for naturally dried-out bodies since at least the early 1600s.