What major event may have influenced the ancient Egyptian decision to embalm?

The decision to embalm in ancient Egypt was significantly influenced by the cultural and spiritual beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife. Ancient Egyptians viewed the preservation of the body as essential for the deceased's journey into the afterlife. The practice of embalming became particularly important due to their beliefs in the inevitability of death and the need for the body to be intact for the dead’s resurrection.

While events such as earthquakes, flooding, or war could have impacted societal norms or practices, the concept of embalming was largely driven by spiritual and religious motivations rather than these external events. The association with plague reflects a time when there may have been heightened awareness of mortality, leading to a stronger emphasis on the preservation of the body to ensure safe passage and to mitigate fears surrounding death. This profound connection between the body, mortality, and religious practices is what ultimately drove the ancient Egyptians to develop the techniques of embalming.