Before the mummification process could begin, the body had to be fully prepared. The brain was pulled out of the head using a hook, and then the internal organs were cut out of the rest of the body. Organs such as the lungs, liver, stomach and intestines were dried and placed in jars to be buried with the body. If the heart was removed, it was returned to the body, so it could travel with the spirit to the next world. The inside of the body was cleansed with wine and spices, covered with salt and resin and left for 40 days.