This cleaning ritual, which was the first process, may have represented the rebirth of the deceased. .
After being washed and cleansed, the carcass was taken to the wabet, the "palace of embalming." According to Herodotus, a large incision was made on the left side of the abdomen. This incision, which was cut with a flint knife, was used for removing vital organs such as the intestines, liver, lungs and stomach. Often times the kidneys were ignored because it was thought they had little importance. Once removed, the organs were wrapped and placed in canopic jars. During the later periods of Egyptian Dynasty, the organs were placed between the legs of the mummy. Along with the organs, mainly during the late Middle or early New Kingdom forward, the brain was removed. A large hole was punched through the ethmoid bone located just above the nostrils. A hook shaped object was used to move the brain about until it became liquified and easily drained. According to Herodotus, the rest of the contents were removed with "drugs.".
canopic jars.
After the body had been cleansed and the organs removed, it was then ready for the next step, the drying of the body. The process remains a controversial subject because of Herodotus's choice of words used to describe the process. He used the word pickle; which led many Egyptologists to believe the body was submerged in a solution of natron salt(a mixture of sodium carbonate, sulfate and potassium chloride). The other method, which was tested and proved more logical, called for large amounts of natron salt packed around the body until the 70th day, when the body was desiccated. .
After being dried in the bed of natron salt, the body is then washed and all traces of the salt removed. Many perfumes and oils were rubbed on the body and the open wounds were filled and covered with wax. Over the wax a metal plate decorated with symbols of protection sealed the wounds.
