Final answer:
The complexity of the Egyptian death ritual lies in the deep-rooted belief in an afterlife, which led to the development of mummification to preserve the body for the spirit's journey.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Egyptian death ritual is complex primarily because of A. The belief in an afterlife. This belief was rooted deep in the Egyptian culture and reflected in their sophisticated burial practices, including mummification. Mummification was a method of preserving the body for the afterlife, crucial due to the Egyptian religious belief that the person's spirit, represented by elements such as the Ka and Ba, needed the physical body to continue existing.
In the mummification process, the internal organs were carefully removed and placed in canopic jars, except for the heart which was considered the embodiment of the soul. The body was then treated with salts, oils, and wrapped in linen. The processes and materials used varied according to wealth and social status. The preserved bodies would then be placed in tombs, such as the massive pyramids built for pharaohs, which were seen as grand vessels to transport and protect the rulers in their journey to the afterlife. The continuation of these practices through various dynasties demonstrated the essential role religion and belief in the afterlife played in the social and cultural fabric of ancient Egypt.