Summary

• Canopic jars were used in ancient Egypt during the mummification process to hold the internal organs removed from the deceased. There were four jars, each associated with a specific organ and guarded by one of the Four Sons of Horus: Hapi (lungs), Duamutef (stomach), Imsety (liver), and Qebehsenuef (intestines).
• The jars originated in the Old Kingdom and evolved in design through the Ptolemaic Period. Early jars had flat lids, but later, the lids were shaped to represent the Four Sons of Horus, each symbolizing a cardinal compass point.
• Canopic jars were made from various materials, including limestone, pottery, alabaster, and glazed porcelain. Over time, they became more elaborate, with inscriptions and depictions of the guardian deities.
• The jars reflected the ancient Egyptians’ beliefs in the afterlife and the importance of preserving the body and organs for eternal life. The heart was left in the body, believed to hold the soul.
• Many Canopic jars have been discovered in tombs and are displayed in museums worldwide, showcasing the artistic and religious practices of ancient Egypt. They are symbols of the ancient Egyptian faith and provide insights into their burial rituals and civilization.

The Canopic jars were used by ancient Egyptians during the mummification process to hold the internal organs that were removed from the deceased. They were carved from limestone or made from pottery and were commonly used in Egypt’s old kingdom until the Ptolemaic period. They were stone vessels with flat lids, and human-headed masks were added later in the old kingdom.

In the late 18th dynasty, the stoppers of the jars were shaped with the heads of four minor funerary deities known as the “Four Sons of Horus” who were also considered the cardinal compass points; they are the baboon-headed Happy, the human-headed Imsety, the jackal-headed Duamutef, and the falcon-headed Qebehsenuef.

What Are Canopic Jars Used For

The Canopic jars were four and were used to hold organs like the stomach, intestines, lungs, and liver after being removed from the body, embalmed, anointed, and wrapped in linen. As for the heart, well, the ancient Egyptians chose to leave it in its place as they believed that the heart held the soul. The ancient Egyptians believed that life was immortal and death was nothing more but a door to the other side. Each one of the sons of hours was responsible for a direction and an organ; they are:

• Hapi,the baboon-headed god representing the north whose jar contained the lungs and was protected by the goddess Nephthys.
• Duamutef, the jackal-headed god representing the east whose jar contained the stomach and was protected by the goddess Neith.
• Imsety,the human-headed god representing the south, whose jar contained the liver and was protected by the goddess Isis.
• Qebehsenuef, the falcon-headed god representing the west, whose jar contained the intestines and was protected by the goddess Serqet.

The jars were placed inside a canopic chest and buried in the tombs with the sarcophagus of the dead. Many sets of jars survive from the old kingdom, in alabaster, aragonite, calcareous stone, and blue or green glazed porcelain, carrying inscriptions on the outside and can be viewed in Egyptian museums or any museum around the world.

History and Development Canopic Jars

Ancient Egyptians utilized these vessels, known as canopic jars, at the dawn of the Old Kingdom (2700 – 2200 BC) through the Late Period (664 – 330 BC) and the Ptolemaic Period (305 – 30 BC). During this time, the practice evolved from storing the viscera within these jars to simply wrapping and placing them alongside the body. Contrary to early assumptions linking the term “Canopic” to the Greek legend of Canopus, various theories suggest its origin stems from either Canopus in the Delta or the location near Alexandria, where human-headed jars symbolizing the god Osiris were revered. The evolution of the Canopic jar can be traced back to the 4th dynasty. The earliest known examples of these jars belonged to Queen Hetepheres, wife of King Sneferu and mother of King Cheops. The first Canopic jars discovered belonged to Queen Meresankh III, the wife of King Khafre.

Throughout the different time periods, the design and purpose of canopic jars evolved from the Old Kingdom as they were often uninscribed with plain lids, while in the Middle Kingdom of ancient Egypt (2040 – 1782 BC), inscriptions became more common, and lids frequently took the form of human heads. By the Nineteenth Dynasty of the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt (1570 – 1050 BC), the lids depicted the four sons of Horus serving as guardians of the organs. Materials and styles varied over time, with the oldest jars dating back to the Eleventh or Twelfth Dynasty, typically crafted from stone or wood. By the New Kingdom, canopic jars featured the sons of Horus, often made from alabaster, aragonite, calcareous stone, or glazed porcelain. These sons of Horus, representing cardinal compass points, each safeguarded specific organs and were accompanied by a companion goddess. During the Third Intermediate Period, dummy canopic jars were introduced alongside advancements in embalming techniques, allowing the viscera to remain within the body. Although traditional canopic jars remained a prominent feature in tombs, they were no longer used for organ storage. Numerous canopic jars have survived throughout history and can be found in museums worldwide, showcasing the enduring legacy of ancient Egyptian burial practices.

Canopic Jars Facts

• Canopic jars underwent significant changes in design and purpose throughout ancient Egyptian history, reflecting the cultural and religious beliefs of each era.
• Each Canopic jar was associated with a specific organ and guardian deity, such as the liver protected by Imsety or the lungs guarded by Hapi, reflecting the intricate Egyptian understanding of bodily preservation and the afterlife.
• Canopic jars were crafted from various materials, including stone, wood, alabaster, and glazed porcelain, showcasing the artistic and technical skills of ancient Egyptian artisans.
• Many Canopic jars were associated with royalty, such as those belonging to Queen Hetepheres and Queen Meresankh III, highlighting their importance in royal burials and rituals.
• The jars were an integral part of the mummification process, ensuring the deceased’s organs were preserved for the afterlife according to religious beliefs.
• Canopic jars were often adorned with elaborate inscriptions, symbolic carvings, or painted decorations, illustrating the rich symbolism and artistic traditions of ancient Egyptian culture.
• The term “Canopic” has been linked to various myths and legends, adding an intriguing layer of mystery to their history, such as the association with the Greek legend of Canopus.
• Canopic jars have been unearthed in numerous archaeological excavations, providing valuable insights into ancient Egyptian burial practices, beliefs, and society.
• Examples of Canopic jars can be found in museums worldwide, attesting to their enduring cultural and historical significance beyond the borders of ancient Egypt.