This mummy is remarkably well preserved, due primarily to meticulous mummification techniques. Ancient Egyptians considered the heart to be the center of the soul and the source of all knowledge, and necessary for the journey into the afterlife. However, it was difficult to remove all the other internal organs through an incision in the lower abdomen and leave the heart in place. Less expensive mummifications, if they included evisceration at all, often resulted in the careless or accidental removal of the heart along with the other organs. CT images of the mummy of Ramses I clearly show that his heart remains in place, indicating the high quality of the mummification process.

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