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Click image to enlarge.
Natron, a type of salt, was the embalmers
secret weapon. It coaxed moisture from the flesh
and reduced odors. Small packets were stuffed
inside the abdominal cavity. The body was covered
with some 400 pounds of it.
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Click image to enlarge.
Thirty-five days after recreating the ancient
embalmers art, Dr. Brier
returned&emdash;fingers crossed. He saw . . . a
mummy. Slowly, gently, Dr. Brier and his team
removed the natron. They anointed the body, by now
dehydrated, with frankincense and myrrh.
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Click image to enlarge.
Then the wrapping started&emdash;layer after layer
of linen, decorated with hieroglyphic prayers. A
small amulet was placed over the only organ left
inside, the heart.
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