What is a canopic jar in Egypt?
Canopic jars are some of the most iconic artifacts from ancient Egypt. After mummification, these elaborately carved lids were used to store the deceased’s internal organs.
The Egyptians believed that the organs were essential for the afterlife and that preserving them would allow the deceased to live in the next world. Canopic jars were typically placed in the tomb alongside the coffin and were often decorated with religious symbols and inscriptions.
The prevalent form of canopic jar featured a human-shaped lid, yet containers with canopic jar heads resembling animals, such as falcons, baboons, and jackals, were also standard. Each type of jar was associated with a specific organ: the human-headed Jar for the liver, the baboon-headed jar for the lungs, the jackal-headed jar for the stomach, and the falcon-headed jar for the intestines.
The use of canopic jars dates back to the Old Kingdom period (c. 2686-2181 BC), but they became trendy during the New Kingdom period (c. 1550-1070 BC). During this time, ceramic canopic jars were often lavishly decorated with gold leaf, precious stones, and intricate carvings.
Some of the most famous canopic jars in the world are those found in Tutankhamun’s tomb. These four canopic jars, made of alabaster and decorated with gold leaf, are among the finest examples of Egyptian craftsmanship ever discovered.
Canopic jars give us a fascinating glimpse into the funerary practices of ancient Egypt. They also teach us much about the Egyptians’ beliefs about the afterlife. By studying these remarkable vessels, we can better understand the culture and civilization of one of the world’s oldest and most enduring societies.
Don’t Miss To Book One Of Our All-Inclusive Egypt Vacation Packages
How were canopic jars made in ancient Egypt?
Canopic jars were made in ancient Egypt using various materials, including stone, wood, pottery, and glazed composition. The most common materials were limestone and alabaster, quarried in the surrounding mountains and then transported to workshops where they were carved into jars.
The process of making a canopic jar began with creating a model. The model was typically made of clay or wood and used to create a mold. The mold was then used to cast the jar in stone or pottery.
Once the jar was cast, it was shaped and smoothed using various tools. The lid of the jar was carved separately, and it was often decorated with the head of one of the four sons of Horus.
The final step in making a canopic jar was to decorate it. Canopic jars were often decorated with hieroglyphs, religious symbols, and images of the deceased.
Why did Egyptians Put Organs In Canopic jars?
The ancient Egyptians put organs in canopic jars, also known as mummification jars, during the mummification process. The Egyptians believed that the heart, lungs, stomach, and liver were essential for the afterlife, so they removed these organs from the body and placed them in separate jars. The Canopic jars were then placed in the tomb with the mummy.
The Egyptians believed that the canopic jars would protect the organs during the journey to the afterlife. They also thought the jars would help the deceased be reborn in the next life.
The canopic jars were often decorated with images of the four sons of Horus, who were the gods of protection. The Egyptians believed that the sons of Horus would protect the organs and help the deceased to enter the afterlife.
Canopic jars were an essential part of the ancient Egyptian mummification process. It was a way to preserve the body and to help the deceased enter the afterlife.
What Four Gods Were Associated With The Canopic Jars?
The four gods associated with the Canopic jars were the four sons of Horus:
- Imsety, the god representing the south and the human-headed god of the liver, is protected by the goddess Isis.
- Duamutef, the jackal-headed god representing the east, god of the stomach, is protected by the goddess Neith.
- Hapi, representing the north, the baboon-headed god of the lungs, is protected by the goddess Nephthys.
- Qebehsenuef, the falcon-headed god representing the west and god of the intestines, is protected by the goddess Serqet.
Why Was the Heart Not Put in the Canopic Jars?
The heart was not put in the canopic jar because the ancient Egyptians believed it was the seat of the soul and the mind. They thought nature was essential for the afterlife. They would be weighed against the feather of Maat, the goddess of truth and justice, to determine whether the deceased person was worthy of entering the Field of Reeds, The Egyptian paradise.
If the heart was heavier than the feather of Maat goddess, the deceased person would be devoured by the monster Ammit. If the heart was lighter than the feather of Maat, the dead person would be allowed to enter the Field of Reeds.
The ancient Egyptians left the heart inside the body during mummification because the heart was so essential. The seat was mummified along with the rest of the body, and it was believed to be reborn with the deceased person in the afterlife.
The ancient Egyptians also believed that the heart was the source of all human emotions, good and bad. They believed the soul was responsible for a person’s thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Because the heart was so essential, the ancient Egyptians took great care to protect it during mummification. They also placed a scarab beetle, a symbol of rebirth, over the heart to help the deceased person be reborn in the afterlife.
The ancient Egyptians believed that the heart was the most critical organ in the body and treated it with great respect.
Facts about Canopic Jars in Ancient Egypt
- The earliest canopic jars date back to the Old Kingdom (2575-2130 BC) but became more common during the Middle Kingdom (1938-1630 BC).
- Canopic jars were still used in Egypt during the Roman period (30 BC-641 AD).
- The organs inside the canopic jars were often wrapped in linen and placed in bags of natron salt.
- The canopic jars were also associated with the four elements: Imsety with earth, Hapy with water, Duamutef with air, and Qebehsenuef with fire.
- Canopic jars were typically placed in the deceased’s tomb but could also be placed in a separate burial chamber.
- The canopic jars of the wealthy were often made of precious materials such as gold and silver, while the canopic Jars of the poor were made of wood or pottery.
- Canopic jars were often decorated with elaborate carvings and inscriptions. This shows that the ancient Egyptians placed a high value on the Canopic jars.
Related To Read :
