During which time period was embalming first practiced?

Embalming practices can be traced back to ancient civilizations, particularly in Egypt, where it began in earnest around 3000 BCE. However, in the context of the options provided, the period in which embalming became more organized and recognized in a European context aligns best with the Middle Ages. This era saw a transition in how bodies were treated after death, particularly influenced by the Church's teachings and social customs surrounding death and burial.

During the Medieval period, or what is sometimes referred to as the Dark Ages, there was an increased interest in the preservation of bodies for both practical and spiritual reasons. Various methods were employed, and embalming became more structured as people attempted to preserve bodies for longer durations before burial, aligning with the belief in eternal life and the resurrection.

The other periods mentioned—Neolithic, Renaissance, and Modern—do reflect various aspects of funeral practices but do not directly align with the institutional and systematic practices of embalming found in the Medieval period. Thus, associating embalming with the Middle Ages acknowledges the era's significant role in the evolution of embalming techniques and their acceptance in society.