The art of preserving bodies describes how by which the tissues of a deceased person can remain intact. This process of preservation may happen naturally or be carried out by humans. Natural mummification occurs under specific conditions, such as freezing temperatures, acidic bogs, or dry environments. One of the most famous forms of intentional mummification comes from Egyptian civilization, where corpses were encased in bandages to stop decomposition and maintain the corpse for the journey to the afterlife.

Mummified remains, whether human or animal, have been found on every continent, often resulting from natural preservation or cultural practices. Throughout Egypt, more than a million animal mummies have been discovered, a significant number being cats. The process of Egyptian mummification was very symbolic. Egyptians would extract the brain via the nostrils, and removed all major internal organs, except for the heart. This was because the heart was crucial for the ceremony in the afterlife. The other organs were placed in canopic jars, which were included in the burial.

In contemporary practices, mummification has taken on a new form within certain BDSM communities. Here, the concept of mummification is used in a role-playing context, where one person, referred to as the "slave," is bound tightly by another, the "master." Only the nostrils are left exposed for breathing. The materials used for this wrapping vary from duct tape, plastic wrap, to bandages. While the practice is still called mummification, its purpose in BDSM is primarily about restraint and control and not about preserving the body.

**Conclusion**

Mummification has evolved significantly from its origins in ancient Egyptian death practices to modern-day practices in subcultures like BDSM. While the traditional purpose focused on preserving the body for the journey to the next life, today's version centers on role-playing. Despite the differences, both forms of mummification reflect a deep human interest in control, whether over death or within social relationships.