The ancient Egyptian custom of wrapping mummies in gold, especially for the purpose of achieving exceptional purity such as 99%, refers to a process that is more closely linked to the idea of ​​royalty and the afterlife than to a common practice among all social classes. While it is true that the Egyptians used gold in the mummification process, details about its use in the quantity and purity described are more limited and largely related to the tombs of pharaohs and high-ranking figures.

In Egyptian culture, mummification was a meticulous and sacred process aimed at preserving the body of the deceased for the afterlife. Gold was a highly valued metal, associated with the gods and eternity, so it was used in various forms in the preparation of the mummies of important people.

1. Funerary Masks: The funerary mask of Tutankhamun is probably the best known and is a famous example of gold used in the funeral process. This mask, which covered the face of the young pharaoh, was made of very pure gold, in this case almost 100%, and is a symbol of power and divinity. Gold symbolized immortality and was associated with the sun god Ra, so it was thought that by covering the body with gold, the deceased could enjoy a glorious eternal life.
2. Αmulets and ornaments: In addition to masks, the Egyptians used gold to create amulets and ornaments that were placed in the tomb or on the body of the mummy. The best known is the “Αnkh” (symbol of life), and many other symbols associated with protection, resurrection and divinity.
3. Gold wrappings: Αlthough not as common as masks, traces of gold wrappings have also been found in some tombs. This may include thin sheets of gold that were wrapped around the body, as a way of beautifying and ensuring divine protection for the deceased on their journey to the afterlife. Some accounts, although rarer, mention that the body could be covered in sheets of gold, a custom that would have been reserved for pharaohs or high-ranking nobles.

The mention of “amazing feats” could refer to the technical and artistic achievements of the Egyptians in working with gold. The ancient Egyptians perfected the mining, refining, and working of this precious metal, creating detailed objects and works of art with impressive craftsmanship. Some of the “amazing feats” include:

• The ability to work with fine gold: The Egyptians were pioneers in gold refining, achieving very high purity levels. The alloying and refining technique allowed them to produce jewellery and valuables with a purity that, in some cases, exceeded 99%.
• Royal Tombs and Gold: Gold was used in extraordinary ways in the tombs of the pharaohs, as in the case of the tomb of Tutankhamun, where an astonishing number of objects made of pure gold were discovered, which has generated a modern vision of the magnificence of Egyptian civilization. The material wealth and the ability to create these objects within long-lasting underground tombs turned these works into “feats” of engineering and funerary art.

It is important to note that some of the stories about the use of gold in mummification and preserving the body in an almost “maximal” way, as a way to create eternal life or supernatural power, are partly a product of modern myths and legends about ancient Egypt. Stories about wrapping mummies in layers of 99% pure gold relate more to the mysterious appeal of ancient civilizations than to the historical reality of how mummification was performed.

Nevertheless, there is no doubt that gold played a crucial role in Egyptian funerary practices, contributing both to religious symbolism and to the material preservation of the dead, creating a connection between the living and the gods.