For what primary reason did the Egyptians embalm their dead?

The primary reason the Egyptians embalmed their dead was for preservation. The ancient Egyptians developed embalming techniques to ensure that the body would remain intact for the afterlife, which they believed was essential for the deceased to continue their existence in the realm beyond death. This practice stemmed significantly from their religious beliefs, which emphasized the importance of the afterlife and the resurrection of the dead. They believed that in order for the soul to be reunited with the body after death, the body must be preserved so that it did not decay.

While social status played a role in the extravagance of certain embalming processes and cultural traditions governed how these practices were carried out, the underlying motivation was primarily centered on the preservation of the body. This ensured that the individual could enjoy a peaceful afterlife, which was a central tenet of Egyptian spiritual beliefs. Therefore, the act of mummification and the broader embalming practices were intrinsically linked to the preservation of the body for eternal life in their cosmology.