During which historical period was embalming first widely practiced for preservation in the Western world?

Embalming was first widely practiced during Ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians developed sophisticated techniques for embalming as part of their burial practices, aimed at preserving the body for the afterlife. This involved the removal of internal organs, drying the body with natron (a naturally occurring salt), and wrapping it in linen. The practice was closely related to their religious beliefs regarding the afterlife and the importance of preserving the body for eternity.

During the Middle Ages, embalming techniques were less practiced in the Western world due to changing cultural attitudes toward death and burial, leading to simpler funerary customs. The Renaissance saw a renewed interest in science and anatomy, which did influence some aspects of embalming but not in the same widespread manner seen in Ancient Egypt. The Industrial Revolution later brought about advancements in embalming techniques primarily for practical purposes, such as transportation of bodies, but the foundational practices originated far earlier in Ancient Egypt.