Which term is associated with the preservation of remains using natural processes?

Mummification is the term associated with the preservation of remains using natural processes. This method often occurs in arid environments where low humidity and high temperatures can inhibit decomposition. The natural drying effect preserves the body tissues, allowing for a significant degree of physical preservation, which has been historically noted in ancient cultures, particularly in Egypt, where mummification was an intentional process influenced by cultural and religious beliefs. This preservation can also occur naturally in certain conditions, such as in bogs or ice, where environmental factors prevent decay.

Embalming refers to the artificial preservation of a body using chemicals, which is not a natural process. Decomposition is the natural process by which organic matter breaks down, resulting in the decay of the body. Autolysis is a process of self-digestion or self-destruction of cells, typically occurring shortly after death, and is part of the broader decomposition process. These definitions clarify why mummification, by contrast, explicitly refers to preservation rather than decay or artificial intervention.