Mummification for dummies

scribbler1382 · Jan 17, 2006

I read an article recently where a woman who didn't want to be buried was propped up in front of her TV when she died and the A/C allowed her body to slowly mummify (they found it when the power went out and she started to smell).

This was over a period of 2 1/2 years, but how long would it take for a body to be mummified using the A/C? Would 7 months be enough time?

rtilryarms · Jan 17, 2006

It only took a few minutes after the words "I do" for this to happen to my wife...

September skies · Jan 17, 2006

I heard that story on the radio a few days ago. That is so odd. You would think that she would smell - even with the a/c unit aimed at her. Can you imagine how high the electricity bill might have been? And she was only discovered after another relative got suspicious when they wouldn't let him see her and he left and returned with police. (at least that's what they said on the radio story)

Gehanna · Jan 19, 2006

I wanna know the name of her electric company.

Maryn · Jan 20, 2006

My kids were fascinated with mummification at one time and I learned more about it than I really cared to know.

A whole lot--maybe nearly all?--of the success depends on extremely dry conditions, with humidity lower than 10-15%. Egypt, yes. Tucson, sure. Chicago, London, New York, Berlin, even with a super-duper AC system, unlikely.

Did the article say if the woman's body was prepared in any way for its mummification? The Egyptians removed the soft organs most likely to rot, including the brain and eyes, and did pre-mummification rituals involving salt, sand, and compounds which apparently remain unknown.

I was unable to provide our curious kid with a corpse of any mammal (I didn't try very hard!), but the turkey neck I donated one Thanksgiving didn't mummify, just rotted. However, we still have the gizzard and giblets. From 1998, I think, although it might've been earlier.

Maryn, who saw mummies in Boston last weekend

scribbler1382 · Jan 20, 2006

Actually, when I did a search for the article, I got quite a few hits about various similar stories over the years, including this one from just a week ago (weird runs in packs, I tell ya) http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/01/10/italy.mother.reut/index.html. Apparently it involved no A/C or power of any kind, but just a closet and some window sealant.

Mummification for dummies

scribbler1382

Write For You, Edit For The Reader

rtilryarms

Crossbows and Handgonnes

September skies

cloud watching

Gehanna

Introvert

Maryn

Baaa!

scribbler1382

Write For You, Edit For The Reader