Mummification & Afterlife

Lesson Overview

Unit: Exploring Ancient Egypt
Lesson Number: 7 of 10
Subject: Social Studies
Year Group: Year 6
Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 16 students

Curriculum Links

This lesson aligns with the National Curriculum for History (KS2):

• Pupils should develop a chronologically secure knowledge of world history.
• They should understand the achievements of early civilizations, specifically Ancient Egypt.
• They should use historical sources to understand religious and cultural practices.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will:

1. Understand why the Ancient Egyptians practised mummification.
2. Describe the key steps in the mummification process.
3. Create a clear flowchart illustrating the stages of mummification.
4. Explain Ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife.

Success Criteria

• Pupils can list and sequence the key steps of mummification.
• Pupils can explain the reason behind each stage.
• Pupils produce a neat, well-organised flowchart with relevant vocabulary.
• Pupils can discuss why the afterlife was important to Ancient Egyptians.

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Lesson Breakdown

Starter Activity (10 minutes) - The Pharaoh’s Secret

1. Engage: Introduce the lesson with a mystery:

   • "Imagine you’re an archaeologist and have found a sealed tomb. Inside, there’s a perfectly preserved mummy!"
   • Show a high-quality image of an Egyptian mummy on the board.
   • Ask: How do you think the Ancient Egyptians preserved bodies for thousands of years?

2. Pair and Share: Students discuss in pairs how they think mummification worked. Gather some initial ideas.

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Main Teaching (15 minutes) - Step-by-Step Mummification

1. Explain the Purpose

   • Ancient Egyptians believed in life after death.
   • Mummification helped the dead reach the afterlife in the same physical form.

2. Step-by-Step Breakdown
   Display the steps on the board while explaining:

   1. Washing the Body – Priests purified the body using palm wine and water.
   2. Removing Organs – The liver, stomach, intestines, and lungs were removed and placed in Canopic jars.
   3. Drying the Body – Covered in natron (a type of salt) to dry for 40 days.
   4. Wrapping the Body – The body was wrapped in linen with protective amulets.
   5. The Final Resting Place – Placed in a sarcophagus within a tomb.

3. Live Demonstration

   • Use a doll (or a student volunteer!) to act out each step using props.
   • Example: Wrap the "mummy" with strips of fabric as you explain the wrapping process.
   • Ask: “Why do you think they wrapped the bodies like this?”

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Activity (20 minutes) - Create a Mummification Flowchart

• Task: Students create a flowchart showing the five key steps of mummification, including illustrations.
• Resources: Large A3 paper, coloured pencils, pre-printed step labels to organise.

Support & Challenge

• More Support: Provide a cut-and-stick version for students who need extra guidance.
• More Challenge: Ask pupils to write a short paragraph explaining Egyptian beliefs about each step.

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Plenary (10 minutes) - Journey to the Afterlife

1. Quick Quiz: Ask true/false questions to check understanding. Example:

   • “The brain was carefully preserved in Canopic jars.” (False! It was removed and discarded)
   • “The heart stayed in the body as it was needed for judgement in the afterlife.” (True!)

2. Discussion:

   • "Why did Egyptians believe mummification was so important?"
   • "What do you think archaeologists can learn from mummies today?"

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Resources Needed

✔ Whiteboard & Markers
✔ Image of an Egyptian Mummy
✔ A3 Paper & Coloured Pencils
✔ Strips of Fabric (for demonstration)
✔ Pre-cut labels for sequencing activity

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Differentiation

• Visual Learners: Use pictures and flowcharts.
• Kinesthetic Learners: Hands-on mummification demonstration.
• Verbal Learners: Pair discussions and explanations.

Assessment

• Observation: Monitor pair discussions and engagement.
• Flowchart Activity: Check accuracy, organisation, and written explanations.
• Plenary Quiz: Assess knowledge retention.

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Teacher Reflection

• Did students engage with the practical demonstration?
• Were students confident in describing the process?
• Should more time be allocated to discussion?

This lesson combines storytelling, hands-on learning, and critical thinking, making Ancient Egyptian mummification an interactive and memorable experience for pupils!