Here are the specific similarities related to mummification found in both books:
Belief in Immortality and Resurrection:
- Both books emphasize that the practice of mummification was rooted in a belief in the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body. This belief was a fundamental aspect of the cultures discussed, as it drove the need to preserve the body for the afterlife.
- In “Atlantis: The Antediluvian World” by Ignatius Donnelly, it is stated that the Egyptians, the Guanches of the Canary Islands, and the Peruvians all shared this belief and practiced mummification as a result.
- Similarly, the “1903 Bridgman-Metchum Atlantis” book also describes a culture with similar practices and beliefs regarding the preservation of the dead.
Religious and Cultural Significance:
- Mummification is depicted as a highly religious practice, often performed by an organized and influential priesthood. This custom was perpetuated over generations due to its deep spiritual significance.
- In Donnelly’s work, the religious aspects of mummification are highlighted by the detailed processes and rituals performed to ensure the deceased’s body was prepared for the afterlife.
- The Bridgman-Metchum text also underscores the importance of these rituals and the role of the priesthood in maintaining the practice.
Geographical Spread:
- Both books note that the practice of mummification was not limited to a single region but was found in various parts of the world, suggesting a common cultural heritage or influence.
- Donnelly mentions that mummification was practiced by the Guanches of the Canary Islands, Egyptians, and Peruvians, indicating a widespread tradition that transcended geographical boundaries.
- The Bridgman-Metchum text similarly points to the geographical spread of mummification practices, indicating a shared cultural origin.
Methods and Materials Used:
- Both books describe the methods used in mummification, such as the removal of internal organs and the use of aromatic substances to preserve the body.
- Donnelly’s text provides details on how the Egyptians and Aztecs performed mummification by extracting the bowels and replacing them with aromatic substances.
- The Bridgman-Metchum book also describes similar methods, emphasizing the care and precision involved in the mummification process.
Purpose and Belief in Resurrection:
- The underlying purpose of mummification in both books is the preservation of the body for its eventual resurrection.
- In Donnelly’s work, it is stated that the belief in the resurrection of the body was a driving force behind the practice of mummification. This belief was deeply ingrained in the cultures discussed, leading them to take great care in preserving their dead.
- The Bridgman-Metchum text similarly highlights this belief, noting that the meticulous preservation of the body was intended to ensure it remained intact for the afterlife.
These consistent details across both books illustrate a shared cultural and religious tradition related to the practice of mummification, reflecting a broader ancient belief system in the immortality of the soul and the physical resurrection of the body.
Plato’s dialogues
Plato’s dialogues, specifically the “Timaeus” and “Critias,” do not mention mummification directly. Plato’s accounts of Atlantis focus more on the description of the island, its advanced civilization, its geographic and political structure, and its eventual downfall due to moral decay and divine retribution.
In the “Critias,” Plato provides a detailed description of the physical and social structure of Atlantis, its kings, and its military power. He describes the Atlanteans as a powerful and prosperous civilization that ultimately fell out of favor with the gods due to their hubris and moral decline. However, there is no mention of specific burial practices, including mummification, in his dialogues.
Therefore, the references to mummification in the books by Bridgman-Metchum and Donnelly are likely their interpretations and expansions of the cultural practices of a hypothetical advanced civilization like Atlantis, influenced by known practices from ancient civilizations such as Egypt, rather than direct citations from Plato’s works.
If you have specific passages from the books where they claim to be referencing Plato’s works directly about mummification, I can review those to see how the authors might be interpreting or extrapolating from Plato’s more general descriptions of ancient practices.
