We are going to learn step by step how to mummify a chicken, instead of just reading about how the ancient Egyptians prepared their mummies. Also, look at my Ancient Civilizations page for more ideas.
Doing it this way really helps your child understand the steps, processes, and ingredients used to mummify without odor to preserve the body.
We will use salt and baking soda to draw the moisture out of the chicken.
This helps to preserve it and along with the spices it will keep odors at bay, even after weeks of sitting out.
Ancient mummies give us a glimpse into ancient Egyptian culture.
They tell us about the Egyptians’ beliefs about death and the afterlife.
And they also tell us about the Egyptians’ daily lives, their clothing, their jewelry, and their art.
Today, mummies are on display in museums around the world.
Also, they are a reminder of the ancient Egyptian civilization and their fascinating beliefs.
Through learning how to mummify a chicken children will get a hands-on view into this ancient ritual that includes history, science, math, and more.
I have also included a few more activities to extend the learning and add to your ancient Egypt unit.
BOOKS ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT FOR KIDS
First, I have so many fun books about Egypt.
I try to use living books first then add reference books.
17 Ancient Egypt Books & Resources for Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To
Add some of these books to your home library and use them for a day of learning or for unit studies.
The first time Melanie Ross meets April Hall, she’s not sure they have anything in common. But she soon discovers that they both love anything to do with ancient Egypt. When they stumble upon a deserted storage yard, Melanie and April decide it’s the perfect spot for the Egypt Game. Before long there are six Egyptians, and they all meet to wear costumes, hold ceremonies, and work on their secret code. Everyone thinks it’s just a game until strange things start happening. Has the Egypt Game gone too far?
These stories include the great myths - of Amen-Ra, who created all the creatures in the world; of Isis, seaching the waters for her dead husband Osiris; of the Bennu Bird and the Book of Thoth. But there are also tales told for pleasure about magic, treasure and adventure - even the first ever Cinderella story.
For more than 3,000 years, Egypt was a great civilization that thrived along the banks of the Nile River. But when its cities crumbled to dust, Egypt’s culture and the secrets of its hieroglyphic writings were also lost. The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt explains how archaeologists have pieced together their discoveries to slowly reveal the history of Egypt’s people, its pharaohs, and its golden days.
Uses archeological evidence to describe the construction, decoration, and furnishings of ancient Egyptian tombs, pyramids, and homes
Discusses the achievements of the ancient Egyptians in science, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, agriculture, and technology.
From reed boats, papyrus, and amulets, to pyramids, pharaohs, and mummies, Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself explores the fascinating lives of ancient Egyptians through more than25 hands-on building projects and activities. Great Ancient Egypt Projects You Can Build Yourself gives readers today a chance to experience how the ancient Egyptians lived, cooked, worked, worshipped, entertained themselves, and interacted with their neighbors through building projects that use common household supplies.Detailed step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and templates for creating each project are combined with historical facts and anecdotes, biographies, and trivia for the real-life models of each project. Together they give kids a first-hand look at daily life in ancient Egypt.
Chebron, the young son of an Egyptian high priest, and Amuba, a young slave in the boy's household, are close friends; but their lives are greatly altered when Chebron accidentally kills a cat, an animal held sacred by the ancient Egyptians. Forced to flee for their safety, the boys and their companions begin a long and dangerous journey. A thrilling adventure story, this is also a tale packed with historical facts. Among other fascinating details, young readers learn about the Egyptian religion and geography, how the Nile was used for irrigation, and how the Egyptians made war and were prepared for burial. A captivating book that accurately describes life in a once magnificent civilization, this volume will especially appeal to youngsters fascinated by the life and customs of ancient Egypt.
The ancient world comes to life in the first volume in a two book series on the history of Egypt, spanning the first farmers to the construction of the pyramids. Famed archaeologist John Romer draws on a lifetime of research to tell one history's greatest stories; how, over more than a thousand years, a society of farmers created a rich, vivid world where one of the most astounding of all human-made landmarks, the Great Pyramid, was built. Immersing the reader in the Egypt of the past, Romer examines and challenges the long-held theories about what archaeological finds mean and what stories they tell about how the Egyptians lived. More than just an account of one of the most fascinating periods of history, this engrossing book asks readers to take a step back and question what they've learned about Egypt in the past. Fans of Stacy Schiff's Cleopatra and history buffs will be captivated by this re-telling of Egyptian history, written by one of the top Egyptologists in the world.
The pictured wall of an Egyptian tomb supplied the inspiration for this unusual story, which takes place during the building of the Great Pyramid of Khufu more than 4,000 years ago. Kaffe and Sari, an Egyptian noble's son and a slave girl from the nomadic Sand People of the Sinai region, help solve a troublesome mystery and trap its culprit. All told against a colorfully detailed backdrop of ancient Egypt.
Ranofer wants only one thing in the world: to be a master goldsmith like his beloved father was. But how can he when he is all but imprisoned by his evil half brother, Gebu? Ranofer knows the only way he can escape Gebu's abuse is by changing his destiny. But can a poor boy with no skills survive on the cutthroat streets of ancient Thebes? Then Ranofer finds a priceless golden goblet in Gebu's room and he knows his luck−and his destiny−are about to change.
In 1802, Jean-Francois Champollion was eleven years old. That year, he vowed to be the first person to read Egypt’s ancient hieroglyphs. Champollion’s dream was to sail up the Nile in Egypt and uncover the secrets of the past, and he dedicated the next twenty years to the challenge.James Rumford introduces the remarkable man who deciphered the ancient Egyptian script and fulfilled a lifelong dream in the process. Stunning watercolors bring Champollion’s adventure to life in a story that challenges the mind and touches the heart.
This Egyptian spin on the classic Cinderella tale was initially recorded in the first century by a Roman historian and is retold here by folklorist Shirley Climo.
Poor Rhodopis! She has nothing—no mother or father, and no friends. She is a slave, from the far-off country of Greece. Only the beautiful rose-red slippers her master gives her can make Rhodopis smile.
So when a falcon swoops down and snatches one of the slippers away, Rhodopis is heartbroken. For how is she to know that the slipper will land in the lap of the great Pharaoh himself? And who would ever guess that the Pharaoh has promised to find the slipper’s owner and make her queen of all Egypt?
In her unique approach, Foster weaves a story of the world around her central character; rather than focusing exclusively on geo-political events, as most textbooks do, she includes stories of scientific discovery and invention, music, literature, art, and religion. Her keen intuition for stories will especially delight and amuse youthful readers. In Augustus Caesar's World, Foster traces the seven major civilizations of Rome, Greece, Israel, Egypt, China, India, and Persia from 4500 B.C. to the time of Augustus Caesar in 44 B.C. and culminating in 14 A.D. Within this timeframe readers will learn not only the stories of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, and Marc Antony, but also the historian Livy and how Virgil came to write the Aeneid. Foster will then take her readers all over the world to learn what was happening at this same time in China, Persia, India and so on. Foster's detailed pen and ink drawings are fresh and appealing, and her illustrated timelines give a clear sense of chronology, enriching the engaging text.
For professor of Egyptology Henry Markham, this would be the crowning glory of his career: an intact tomb of Nefertiti, the great royal wife of Akhenaten and the heretic pharaoh of eighteenth dynasty Egypt, whose bust of exquisite beauty resides in the Berlin Museum, which he had searched for the last ten years. He had an unspoken passion for her only excelled by his young assistant, Steven Sinclair, whose visions and dreams of her haunted him, much to the annoyance of Helen Carter, the freelance journalist on-site who, with her business partner Mike Mitcham, the digs photographer, saw Nefertiti as a rival for his affections. Thanks to a gambling debt, Mike finds himself the proud owner of a large luxury mobile home that four Mossad agents are interested in, along with Emil Brogini, who did a drug deal with two Mossad rogue agents since deceased. The arrival of Henry's estranged sister, Millicent, with her friend Jane Evesham, a gifted clairvoyant, does nothing to improve his temper, especially when Jane tells him they are in great danger. Can the danger come from four renegade Mossad agents or Emil Bratislav Brogini, Mr. Big in Cairo, into every racket going? Jane discovers that Helen has a latent gift of clairvoyance which, with their combined powers in a séance, sends them back to the eighteenth dynasty with Nefertiti, Akhenaten, and danger around every corner as they try to discover who is trying to kill them all using a large band of Libyan bandits. They survive ambushes, assassin's knives, and chariot chases, finally getting back to their own time with Nefertiti.
Pyramid is a strong resource for readers looking to expand their knowledge of ancient Egyptian civilization, history, and architecture.
Award-winning author-illustrator David Macaulay explores the philosophy of life and death in ancient Egypt through richly detailed black-and-white illustrations and clear, concise text.
Though created with middle grade readers in mind, all with interest in the topic will enjoy this impressive look at what many consider to be one of the most awesome of humankind's creations.
With poetic language and striking illustrations, Weitzman tells the story of how one of the greatest boats of ancient Egypt came to be built and built again.In the shadow of the Great Pyramid at Giza, the most skilled shipwrights in all of Egypt are building an enormous vessel that will transport Cheops, the mighty pharaoh, across the winding waterway and into a new world. Pharaoh's boat will be a wonder to behold, and well prepared for the voyage ahead. But no one, not even the Egyptian king himself, could have imagined just where the journey of Pharaoh's boat would ultimately lead.
Merit is a servant girl in the temple of cat goddesses. In a rage, Waha, the High Priest, kills a sacred car, and Merit sees him do it.But when Merit reports the evil deed to Pharaoh, Waha denies that he is guilty.
In addition, look at these other activities to go along with how to mummify a chicken.
HOW MUMMIES ARE MADE
In ancient Egypt, people believed in life after death.
Also, they wanted to preserve their bodies so that they could have a comfortable afterlife. This is why they created mummies.
The process of mummification was long and complex.
It took about 70 days to complete, our chicken should take about 40 because it is so much smaller.
First, the body was washed with water and natron. Natron is a type of salt.
Then, the internal organs were removed. And placed in jars. The brain was removed through the nose.
The body was then packed with natron to dry it out. After 40 days, the natron was removed and the body was wrapped in linen bandages.
Mummies were often dressed in their finest clothes or wrapped in expensive linen. They were also given jewelry and amulets to protect them in the afterlife.
Mummies were buried in tombs.
Tombs were decorated with paintings and carvings.
Too, they were filled with food, furniture, and other items that the mummy might need in the afterlife.
HANDS- ON MUMMY IDEAS
Before you learn how to mummify a chicken check out some of these ideas to add to your study.
Learn all about the steps in this to make your own Mummification Process Game.
Use this Pharaoh Headdress Printable Craft to wear or decorate your mummy for its trip to the afterlife.
While teaching about this ritual you can make an Egypt Crafts For Kindergarten Create a Fun Kid Sized Mummy.
How to Make a Mummy STEM Activity uses an apple for a very simple mummification process activity.
Fun and Easy Hands-On Ancient Egypt Craft: Create Canopic Jars
Additionally, here are more Ancient Egypt hands-on activities.
FUN HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS LEARNING ABOUT EGYPT
- Ancient Egyptian Mathematics: Build a LEGO Math Calculator
- Fun Pharaohs and Queens Ancient Egypt Lapbook and Activities
- 11 Easy Hands-On Ancient Egypt Projects for Middle School
- Hands-on Ancient Egypt: Israelite Mud Bricks for Kids
- Make a beautiful Cleopatra Collar and Cuffs to wear.
- Discover The Secrets Of Ancient Egypt: Free Printable Hieroglyphics Alphabet
- Free Ancient Egypt Mehen Printable Board Game (Hands-on History)
- Ancient Egypt Civilization (Hands-on History): King Narmer Crown
- Ancient Egypt Homeschool Unit Study – Hands-on and FUN!
- Ancient Egypt Unit Study Part 2 – Best Hands-on Homeschool Ideas
- Building Wonders: Create the Great Sphinx of Giza with LEGO
- 7 Fun Ways to Play Go Fish Egyptian Games for Kids
- Free Africa Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning | Free Continent & Country Reports
Finally, look at how to mummify a chicken.
HOW TO MUMMIFY A CHICKEN
I highly recommend getting a small Cornish game hen for your project.
This was all I could find after searching several stores and the larger chicken requires a lot more materials to dry it out as well as taking up more space on your counter.
You will need:
- A whole chicken
- Rubbing alcohol
- Container of Table salt
- Box of Baking soda
- Herbs-optional
- Essential oils-optional
- Roll of gauze
This is just the materials for your first process, you will need probably 4-5 pounds total of the baking soda/salt mixture over the drying process.
First, prepare your chicken for mummification by removing it from the wrapper.
Next, if it has any of the organs inside, you want to remove and dispose of those.
This is a great time to talk about what the Egyptians would do with the organs.
Then rinse the chicken inside and out thoroughly.
Pat dry with paper towels.
Now the final step in the cleansing process is to wipe the chicken down with alcohol to help remove any bacteria.
Combine one canister of salt and one box of baking soda and mix together.
Put about a cup of this mixture inside the cavity of the chicken and shake and roll it around to coat the inside completely.
Place chicken inside of the bag and pour the remaining baking soda/salt combo inside the bag to cover the chicken.
Alternatively, be sure everything is covered by laying it on a tray. Pat the mixture all over it.
You can also add some fresh or dried herbs you have on hand to help with the smell while it’s drying.
MUMMIFY A CHICKEN LIKE ANCIENT EGYPT MUMMIES
Add a few drops of essential oil as well, you could use rosemary oil, cedar oil, or lavender oil.
Place fully coated chicken in the Ziploc bag, if you have a large chicken, you’ll probably need to use a 2 gallon bag.
For the first week or two you want to open it back up every 2 to 3 days and drain any liquid that has come out.
Then add additional salt and baking soda to continue the drying process. It is surprising how very little smell there is to your mummified chicken.
You can see here that liquid is quickly drawn out of a well-preserved chicken.
Every few days remove the chicken. Observe it to see how it is dried.
Do you notice any smell? How does the skin look? Use your science journal to take notes about the changes in the chicken and anything else you observe.
You can also measure and weigh the chicken before and during the process to learn more about the changes.
Once your chicken is completely dried out brush off the excess dry mixture.
And look at how our “corpse” looked 30 days later?
Then wrap it completely in gauze.
Add jewels and other items to recreate the final preparations of mummies like in ancient times.