Amulets - magical charms
Amulets endowed the wearer with magical powers of protection. This protection was especially important in the afterlife so amulets were placed on various parts of the body during the wrapping process. Although there were hundreds of amulets that were available for use, the final selection would depend on the person's wealth and individual choice. The most widely used amulet was the heart scarab. It was placed over the individual's heart to protect it from being lost or separated from the body in the underworld. Without the heart, the dead person could not pass the final judgment and enter the afterlife.
Amulets from the Late Period
During the Late Period (664-332 BCE) there were hundreds of amulets that could be selected for placement on or within the wrappings of a mummy. Many amulets were required to be placed in set positions on the mummy, usually relating to a certain part of the body or a position inside or outside the wrappings. Others had more flexibility in their placement. Some mummies had only a few amulets attached to their outer bandages and none in their wrappings.
