As a consequence, we often study naturally preserved bodies and bodies of embalmed kings from ancient lands side by side. When a body is ritually embalmed, it is often believed that the process will bring the person into the afterlife. Egyptian kings often ordered jewels and even wives to be placed in tombs, so that they could bring them along on their spiritual journey. Embalming is the process of drying a body. All internal organs besides the heart and kidney are removed, and then the inside of the body is rinsed with wine to kill bacteria.
Salt is added inside the body, to dry it further, and then the corpse is covered with sawdust.
Bodies were often painted and massaged to make them supple, then stuffed and perfumed before final entrance into a coffin. Coffins for mummies were often form-fitting, to make sure that drying occurred more easily. Egypt is the only country in the world where the process of preserving a body became an art. Mummification was not only accepted, it was fought for. Huge fees were charged for making oneself immortal.