How did the Egyptian start to view the body?

The ancient Egyptians viewed the body as a vital vessel for the soul, integral to the afterlife. They believed in the concept of "Ma'at," which emphasized order and balance, leading them to preserve the body through mummification to ensure the soul's safe passage to the afterlife. This reverence for the body was reflected in elaborate burial practices, including tomb construction and offerings for the deceased, emphasizing the belief that the physical form needed to endure for the soul to thrive eternally.