Description:
Canopic jar with lid in shape of human head, showing the god Imsety. Broken and repaired. Canopic jars held the internal organs of the deceased, and each jar was presided over by one of the Four Sons of Horus. Imsety guarded the liver.
Label Text:
During mummification, the internal organs were removed and placed in a set of jars to be buried near the coffin. In the Ramesside period (Dynasties 19-20) and later, the lids of these jars usually took the shape of the four Sons of Horus, divine beings who protected the body parts under their care. The liver, stomach, lungs, and intestines merited separate containers, while the heart, considered the seat of intelligence, was returned to the body. The brain was discarded as unimportant.
2016
Tags:
ancient; archaeology; animals; vessels; containers; pottery; deaths; tombs; religion; rituals; ceremonies Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=MH+1923.1a-b.A.SX |
