Let’s be honest: Is there any topic in social studies that grabs a student’s attention quite like mummification?
The moment you mention “removing the brain through the nose,” you have the entire room captivated. It is the perfect blend of history, science, and just enough “gross factor” to keep even your most reluctant learners on the edge of their seats.
But how do we move past the shock value and actually teach the deep cultural significance behind these rituals? How do we ensure they understand why the Ancient Egyptians went to such great lengths to preserve the body?
If you are getting ready to dive into your Ancient Egypt unit, here are three of my favorite strategies to bring the mummification process to life in your classroom!
1. The Classic “Apple Mummification” Experiment
If you have a week to spare for a science crossover, this is a must-do. It’s a fantastic visual representation of how desiccation (drying out) works.
How it works:
- Slice an apple into quarters.
- Place one slice in a cup of plain water (the control).
- Place the other slices in cups filled with different mixtures: salt, baking soda, and a 50/50 mix of both (to simulate Natron).
- Check on them after a week.
The students will be amazed to see how the “Natron” mixture preserves the apple slice, keeping it relatively fresh compared to the rotten control slice. It’s a powerful, hands-on way to demonstrate the science behind the history.
2. Canopic Jar “Design Challenge”
To help students understand the religious aspect of preserving specific organs, I love having them design their own Canopic Jars.
We talk about the four sons of Horus and which organ went into which jar (Imsety for the liver, Hapy for the lungs, etc.). Then, I challenge students to design a modern-day Canopic Jar.
- Prompt: “If you were preserving something valuable to you today (not an organ!), what would the jar look like? What ‘guardian’ would be on the lid to protect it?”
This creative twist helps them connect the concept of protection and preservation to their own lives.
3. The “Mummification Steps” Gallery Walk
This is my absolute favorite strategy for the “meat and potatoes” of the lesson. Sometimes you need a resource that is rigorous, reading-focused, and gets students moving.
I recently started using this Ancient Egypt Mummification Process Gallery Walk, and it is a total lifesaver for this unit.
Here is why I love it: It breaks down the complex, 70-day process into 7 clear, manageable stations. Students walk around the room and investigate each step, from the Announcement of Death to the Opening of the Mouth ceremony.
It covers all the key vocabulary—like Natron, Canopic Jars, and Resin—but in a way that is accessible for middle schoolers. They aren’t just memorizing gross facts; they are analyzing the purpose behind each step using a structured recording sheet.
Plus, it is completely no-prep. You just print the 7 stations, hang them up, and let the students explore. It turns a standard reading lesson into an interactive museum exhibit right in your classroom.
You can grab this Mummification Process Gallery Walk here!
Bringing the Afterlife to Life
Whether you are drying apples, designing jars, or walking through history, the goal is to help students see that mummification wasn’t just about death—it was about a deep love for life and a hope for eternity.
Do you have a favorite “gross” history fact you love teaching? Let me know in the comments!