Out & About with our students

Ag Farm

Year 7 HSIE

To celebrate the completion of our Ancient Egypt unit, Year 7 students took part in a hands-on investigation into one of the most fascinating aspects of Ancient Egyptian life – mummification.

Earlier in the term, students created their own “apple mummies” by carving faces into apples and covering them with a mixture of salt and baking soda to replicate the natron used by the Ancient Egyptians during the mummification process. The apples were then carefully sealed away and left for several weeks while the desiccation process took place.

Recently, students eagerly opened their sarcophagi to examine the results. They were surprised to discover that their apples had become significantly lighter in weight and shrivelled in appearance due to the loss of moisture. Even more impressively, many of the carved facial features remained clearly visible, and there was very little evidence of mould.

Just as the Ancient Egyptians intended, our natron mixture proved highly effective in preserving the fruit.

This practical activity allowed students to move beyond the textbook and gain a deeper understanding of Ancient Egyptian beliefs, burial practices and scientific knowledge. It was a memorable way to conclude our study of one of history’s most interesting ancient civilisations.

Mr Norm Cowan

HSIE Teacher