Canopic jar, Egypt, 2000 BCE-100 CE
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The intestines, stomach, lungs and liver were removed from the body as part of ancient Egyptian mummification. The organs were placed in individual carved limestone canopic jars, each with a different shaped head representing four corresponding Egyptian gods – the Sons of Horus. Each ‘Son’ looked after a different body part. Human-headed lids, such as this one, represent Imsety (Mestha), guardian of the liver. The jackal-headed Duamutef was the guardian of the stomach. The falcon-headed Qebhsnuf looked after the intestines; the baboon-headed Hapi looked after the lungs.
Object number:
A635039
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: liver
Organ that plays a major role in metabolism, digestion, and elimintation of substances in the body.In the warm-blooded animals the liver is usually of a dark reddish-brown colour. In man it is situated below the diaphragm, and is divided by fissures into five lobes. A human can last only 24 hours without liver function.
Glossary: canopic jar
Stone or ceramic jars in which the ancient Egyptians preserved the internal organs of a deceased person as part of their burial practices.