Final answer:
The heart was the organ preserved during mummification by ancient Egyptians and Greeks as it was considered the "seat of consciousness" and essential for the afterlife journey. The correct option is 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
When preparing a mummy for burial, the ancient Egyptians and Greeks preserved the heart because it was believed to be the "seat of consciousness." The heart was considered the embodiment of the soul and the only organ left in the body for the journey to the afterlife.
During the mummification process, which began in the Old Kingdom and continued for thousands of years, the internal organs were removed and placed in canopic jars except for the heart. These canopic jars were made from clay, ornately decorated, and placed with the body during burial.
The preservation of the body was significant due to religious beliefs that a person was composed of several elements such as the Ka and Ba. The Ka, the spiritual double, stayed in the tomb with the body.
The heart played a crucial role in the afterlife as it was believed that it would be weighed against the ideals of harmony and order. If the heart was light, the soul would attain eternal life; otherwise, it would be devoured by a crocodile-headed demon. The correct option is 2.