The process of mummification is one, that to this day, scientists are still attempting to fully understand. While the fad was found to be particularly prominent and popular in European civilizations, the concept was – at one point in time – adapted globally by a wide variety of growing civilizations and communities.

There are no ancient Egyptian texts that described how embalmers mummified their dead, so the process could not yet be understood until modern scientists tested the practice for themselves. It wasn’t until 1994, that Egyptologist Bob Brier and anatomist Ronn Wade used recreations of ancient embalming tools to mummify the body of a man who donated his body to science.

The process involved the use of Natron from Egypt – which is a natural mix of salt, washing soda and bicarbonate of soda – which was noted as being packed inside and outside of the body for 35 days. The researchers found that when the natron was removed, the body had showed no signs of decomposition and had began to resemble the likes of an ancient Egyptian mummy.

Though this experiment shed a light on the odd, but historically-significant practice, scientists are still stunned by the clean preservation of many of the modern mummy corpses that archeologists are still discovering today.

The mystery of mummification has long-captured audiences. Today, Valley residents can now admire the ancient practice up-close with the Arizona Science Center’s new “Mummies of the World: The Exhibition." The exhibit features 40 real human and animal mummies, as well as an additional 85 rare artifacts from around the world.

This remarkable exhibition features unparalleled displays, jaw-dropping artifacts and state-of-the art displays that provide insight into past cultures and civilizations, and that takes attendees on a 4,500-year journey that explores the real-life mummies’ histories and origins.

“Mummies of the World: The Exhibition” is a limited-time engagement requiring a timed-entry ticket and purchase of general admission. Advance purchase is highly recommended. The exhibition ends in September.

For more information on the “Mummies of the World: The Exhibition,” visit the Arizona Science Center official website.