Canopic jars were used by the Ancient Egyptians during the mummification process to store and preserve the viscera of the deceased for the afterlife. The Canopic jars were four in number, each for the safekeeping of particular human organs: the stomach, intestines, lungs, and liver, all of which, it was believed, would be needed in the afterlife. In the begging, the lids of these jars were flat then they were human-headed to resemble the deceased. Since the 18th dynasty these lids took the form of four deities known as “Four Sons of Horus” and the viscera were placed under their protection. The ape-headed “Hapi” protects the lungs, the human-headed “Imsety” preserves the liver, the jackal-headed “Duamutef” guards the stomach and the falcon-headed “Qebehsenuef” guards the intestines.
New Kingdom.
Medium: Limestone, Painted.
Provenance: Unknown .
