Grade 5: The Study of Mummies

Ancient Egyptian burial traditions and ceremonies are endlessly fascinating, and in a combined history and science lesson lasting several weeks, fifth graders are learning about embalming, mummification and Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife.

 

The lesson involves researching the history and significance of the Egyptian custom of preserving a body for life after death. Embalming was a very expensive procedure that was only available to the wealthy, whose tombs were also stocked with items the person might need in the afterlife.

“The burial ceremony was very complex and tombs included the outer shrine, body, sarcophagus, and burial mask plus food, luxury items and everyday things like pottery and tools,” history teacher Mitch Masters explains. Tomb walls were also painted with idyllic scenes and hieroglyphics that were believed to provide protection and sustenance. 

 

The unit, new this year, also includes some hands-on science work as well. Andy Dodge developed a mummy lab project that simulates the embalming process using two types of hotdogs (Oscar Mayer and Nathan's). In small groups, students measured and weighed hotdogs before placing them into plastic “coffins” filled with desiccants (drying agents) like baking soda, iodized salt, kosher salt and non-iodized salt. 

“This lab is more advanced because students are using several variables to determine which provides the best outcome,” Andy says. “They have to be very precise in their observations and measurements because the change between certain variables may be relatively small.”

 

Students have shown “great interest” in keeping tabs on their experiments and today they will open up the containers and take measurements to compare with the original data. After Thanksgiving break, they will measure again before analyzing the information and applying math skills to create graphs.

 

“This project is a great way to show kids the connection between disciplines and to explore a subject from multiple perspectives,” says Mitch. “Learning about ancient Egypt never gets old and kids are really drawn to the grandness of the Egyptian lifestyle and belief system.”