About four and a half thousand years ago, the ancient Egyptians began a tradition that would last thousands of years. The practice of preserving the bodies of the dead was both ritualistic and spiritual. Their intricate burial procedures and elaborate graves were also a crucial part of the deposition of the deceased. The mummification process began as an accident. Before burying the dead in proper graves, Egyptians placed their loved ones to rest in shallow graves in the desert. The sand and the heat of the sun dried the bodies, preserving them perfectly. However, when they began burying their dead in coffins, they realized that the bodies were no longer being preserved. It was then that they decided to invent their own way of preserving or “mummifying” the deceased. ("Mummification")According to Herodotus, a 5th century Greek historian, there are 3 levels of mummification. The more elaborate and expensive treatment was usually used only on the wealthy and elite such as the pharaoh. The second and third levels of mummification were much less detailed and time consuming, but were still effective. These treatments were usually used on people of medium wealth. The embalming process began in a tent known as an "ibu". “There the embalmers wash [the] body with sweet-smelling palm wine and rinse it with Nile water” (“Mummification”). Once the body was washed, the internal organs were removed through an incision made on the left side of the body. The only thing left in the body was the heart because they believed it was the center of intelligence that the person would need in the afterlife. ("Mummification")Certain organs, including the stomach, liver, lungs, and intestines...... middle of paper ......tion/English/amulet?q=amulet (November 22, 2013). Herodotus. The Internet Classics Archive | The History of Herodotus by Herodotus. The story of Herodotus. Np: np, nd No. page The Internet Classics Archive | The History of Herodotus by Herodotus. Network. November 22, 2013. "Mummification". Mummification. Np, nd Web. 30 September 2013. "Mummy Tombs: Diodorus and the Creation of Mummies." Tombs of the Mummies: Diodorus and the creation of mummies. Np, nd Web. November 22, 2013. “Natron.” Oxforddictionaries.com. 2013. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/natron (22 November 2013). "Ritual of opening the mouth". The Global Egyptian Museum. Np, nd Web. 09 November. 2013. .