A *mummy* is a deceased human or animal whosehuman skin
and organs
have been preserved by either intentional or accidental exposure to chemicals
, extreme cold, very low humidity
, or lack of air, so that the recovered body does not decay further if kept in cool and dry conditions. Some authorities restrict the use of the term to bodies deliberately embalmed
with chemicals, but the use of the word to cover accidentallydesiccated
bodies goes back to at least 1615 AD (See the section Etymology and meaning
).