[MDriver1981 (OP)]

I read that when Cardinal Richelieu died in 1642 he was embalmed. When I think of embalming chemicals, I think of them being invented by the American Dr. Thomas Holmes, who made a fortune selling his product to the Union Army and American families so they can use it to persevere the bodies of dead Federal Troops during the American Civil War (so they can have a proper viewing during their funeral). My question is how did people get embalmed before the mid 19th century, or, more precisely, 17th century Europe?   

[Don_1]

Ask Anubis, the ancient Egyptian God of Mummification.

Embalming dates back thousands of years, but just how the ancient Egyptians found out how to do it, is a mystery.

[RD]

... how the ancient Egyptians found out how to do it, is a mystery.

[sung to the "record breakers" tune] "dessication, ooh ooh, dessication that's what you need" ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natron#Importance_in_antiquity