TEACHERS’ NOTES – Egyptian Mummy
Event Description
Key Words
In Egyptian Mummy, students became archaeologists and
investigated the ancient Egyptians through their artefacts and
remains. Students learnt about the Egyptian afterlife, the process
of mummification, and the science of preservation by mummifying
their own piece of apple.
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Age Range & Curriculum Links
Egyptian Mummy is aimed at 9 – 11 year olds.
Grade 4:
 M1: Identify that materials can interact with one another,
and describe any chances to the properties of materials
that may affect their use following interaction.
Particularly interactions with water, absorbency and
dehydration.
N.B.: Egyptian Mummy is also linked to parts of the history
curriculum.
Archaeology
Artefact
Mummification
Preservation
Afterlife
Internal organs
Invasive/non-invasive
scientific techniques
 Laboratory
 Amulets
 X-rays
The Science in the Workshop
During ‘Egyptian Mummy’, students learnt that the ancient Egyptians mummified their dead
because it was believed they would be reunited with their preserved bodies in the afterlife.
After the dead body had been washed, the internal organs (aside from the heart) were
taken out, embalmed and put into Canopic jars. The brain, which was believed to be
useless, was removed first by breaking the nose and then by inserting into it a long hook.
Following this, the body was preserved by covering it in natron salt, which was extracted
from the banks of the River Nile and left for forty days. After this time, all of the water
would have been absorbed by the salt and the body would be brown and shrivelled. Once it
had been embalmed in oils, stuffed with herbs and spices, it was ready to be wrapped up
and placed in a sarcophagus. Often, the ancient Egyptians also added false eyes, hair, nails
and make-up to their mummies so they appeared more life-like and the Ka (soul) could
recognise the body in the afterlife.
© 2012 Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee.
Useful Resources
Topic Related Websites:
http://www.fi.edu/learn/tut/index.html - The science of ancient Egypt
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/egypt/ - Great source of information on ancient Egypt & project
ideas
General Science Website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ - accompanies the Science Clips TV series aimed at 5-11
year olds and their teachers.
Follow-Up Activity
Making an Ancient Egyptian Water Clock
You will need:
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2 plastic yogurt pots
Waterproof marker
Ruler
Push pin
Duct tape
Wooden dowel
Modelling clay
Wood or sturdy cardboard base
What to do:
1) Draw lines around the interior of one yoghurt pot. Using a ruler as your guide, space the
lines a quarter-inch apart. Make your marks with a waterproof marker to prevent smudging.
2) Make a small hole at the bottom of your marked pot with a push pin.
3) Secure the marked container to the upper area of your wooden dowel. Wrap duct tape
around the container and dowel.
4) Secure the second, unmarked pot to the lower area of the dowel. Position it directly
under your first pot so it can catch dripping water.
5) Mould modelling clay around the bottom of the dowel and attach to the base.
How it works:
To use your Ancient Egyptian water clock, block the hole in the upper pot and fill with water.
Unblock the hole and time how long it takes for the water to reach each of the pot's lines.
Use these measurements to keep time.
© 2012 Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee.
Discussion Ideas:
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Compare the results of the students’ water clocks. Why might they be different?
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What happens when the students adapt their water clocks? For example, when they
make the hole at the bottom of the marked pot bigger? Use different sized
containers? Place the pots nearer/further away from one another?
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This activity could lead onto further topic work about time and ancient inventions.
© 2012 Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee.