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Making a mummy

August 15, 2010 Ticia 14 Comments

We started studying Egypt this week in our homeschool history lesson, and what do you think of when you think of Egypt, but mummies.  So, taking a page from the Story of the World Ancient History, we’re making a mummy.

Warning, not for the easily grossed out, or germ-o-phobes.
how mummies were made
 
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Supplies for making a mummy:

chicken (we used a cornish game hen, to ensure it was small enough), 3 cans of salt*, 1 can of baking powder*, 1 can of baking soda*, gallon ziploc bag*

Steps for making a mummy:

making a mummy wash the future mummy

1.  Wash your chicken, inside and out.  Make sure to have a lot of soap on hand for washing your hands to get rid of germs.

making a mummy drying the chicken

2.  Dry the chicken.  The dryer it is the more quickly it will mummify (or that was my interpretation of what the instructions was saying).

making a mummy mixing salts

3.  Add your salt, half of your baking powder, and half of your baking soda.  Don’t you love the exact details it’s giving.

making a mummy all set to be dehydrated

4.  Put your dry chicken in the bag, put salt in the middle (to ensure bacteria doesn’t grow there, and to help dry out the inside).  Then begin to put salt all around the chicken.

Scientifically, what’s happening?  Well, let me tell you.  The salt is slowly removing the moisture from the chicken (this whole process is going to take about a month).  Here’s a site talking about mummifying a hot dog.  Sorry, I’d look for a better explanation, but the kids are getting restless, and I’d like to get a few other posts written.

mummification proceedings have begun

I’ll have periodic updates on our chicken (who 2 days later is still not stinky, so I must have done something right).

Update on the chicken mummy, and the importance of following procedures

How to Mummify a chicken

history, science ancient Egypt, ancient history, chemistry

Comments

  1. Kylie says

    August 15, 2010 at 11:12 am

    I am keen to see how this one works for you, we will being Egypt later in the year and a mummy will be on our list of activities.

    Reply
  2. Jolanthe says

    August 15, 2010 at 11:29 am

    I thought about mummifying the chicken to when we learned about Egypt, but we stuck to apples.

    I'm a wimp. 🙂

    Reply
  3. An Almost Unschooling Mom says

    August 15, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    Hmmmm…that will be really interesting if it works, or really, really disgusting if it doesnt.

    Reply
  4. Phyllis says

    August 15, 2010 at 1:55 pm

    Oh, you are brave! I have always made my little mummies out of oranges and potatoes. I am enoying seeing you do it, however. (BTW-How did you get that from behind the sink shot? Do you have your sink in an island? I suddenly pictured you running outside and taking it through a window to get a perfect shot!)

    Reply
  5. Katie says

    August 15, 2010 at 2:29 pm

    Wow, I don't think I'll be brave enough to do a chicken. I have awhile to get brave before this would be age appropriate for my little one though!

    Reply
  6. Debbie says

    August 15, 2010 at 3:51 pm

    Interesting. I have never given any thought to doing anything like this, don't know that we ever will, but I now I know how to should we decide to.

    Reply
  7. Kim says

    August 15, 2010 at 4:23 pm

    Hmm. Curious to see how this goes for you. Uggh.Crumpet doesn't do meat, so we'll have to live vicariously. Darn.

    Reply
  8. April says

    August 15, 2010 at 8:30 pm

    Oh my goodness, thats funny/cool/crazy. You should try to save it for years…

    Reply
  9. Discovering Montessori says

    August 16, 2010 at 12:00 am

    A chicken? Very interesting, you know how to do real science. A chicken would have never entered my mind for mummification. I can't wait to see how this all turns out. Very creative!!

    Reply
  10. Raising a Happy Child says

    August 16, 2010 at 5:56 pm

    No way I am doing this at home, and I am not even a germaphobe. My husband will throw both me and chicken out of the house! Fascinating experiment though – I am curious to read the updates.

    Reply
  11. Pathfinder Mom says

    August 17, 2010 at 12:25 am

    I'm really glad that it's not stinking!! I'll be curious to see how this works out for you!

    Reply
  12. kewkew says

    August 18, 2010 at 5:08 am

    Wonder how hubby would feel about this one after doing the fruit flies. Not that we would be doing it any time soon. Intriguing though, can't wait to see how it goes for you.
    By the way, I love the caption you left for my Mamarazzi Monday post. Thanks for participating, I wasn't sure if anyone would. Figured some might feel I was just being lazy.
    Blessings.

    Reply
  13. Jeff says

    August 19, 2010 at 9:21 pm

    So where are the canopic jars Ticia? 😉

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. How to Mummify a chicken | Adventures in MommydomAdventures in Mommydom says:
    May 24, 2013 at 8:24 am

    […]  Part 1 of How to Mummify a chicken […]

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Ticia Adventures in Mommydom Hi, I'm Ticia! This is the adventures of my family in life and learning. Follow along with us as we share our adventures. We're having a lot of fun and learning as we go.

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