Canopic jar chests were one of the most important ritualistic items utilized in the elaborate burial customs that the Egyptians practiced. Before the mummification process a number of organs were taken out of the dead body and placed inside Canopic jars which would consequently be placed inside a Canopic chest. The chest containing the organs would be placed adjacent to the tomb in a dedicated space called the Canopic shrine.
In ancient days, the Egyptians thought that it was practical for the dead if they were willing, to return to the body. Therefore, preserving the various organs was said to be essential. Mummification involved a detailed procedure, where in the organs needed to be removed and kept in the Canopic jars and then in the Canopic chest. It took many days for completion.
The use of Canopic chests was initiated back in the second Dynasty. The Egyptians continued using them till the advent of the Ptolemaic period. However with the passing of time the design and style of the Canopic jar chests had gone through several modifications.
One of the first Canopic burials was proved to have taken place in the fourth Dynasty, during the reign of Menkaure. It was found in the tomb of Queen Meresankh III at Giza. Several other Canopic burials were discovered in the tombs that belong to the Sneferu reign.
The earliest Canopic jars contained the organs in tightly sealed wooden boxes. In other cases they would be placed inside pottery or stone jars and then the jars would be shut with domed or flat lids. The chests themselves were carved out of soft stone. In other cases the chest was actually carved into the floor or wall of a certain tomb.
Around the sixth Dynasty, granite was used to make the Canopic jar chests. Around the eighteenth century, cartonnage, wood, limestone, calcite and numerous other materials were used to make these Canopic jar chests.
Over the years, the Canopic jars wherein the organs of the corpse were kept were also modified. In the beginning these jars were made from stone and covered with flat lids. They were then modified to have dome-shaped lids.
Following this, the Egyptians tried several other materials to make the Canopic jars. The four main organs that were kept in these jars were the stomach, the intestines, the liver and the lungs. Different deities were linked to each of the organs.
With the passing of time the jars were modified conceptually as well as physically. In terms of their physical appearance they were now given lids that depicted a sculpture of jackal heads. They were considered to be representing the four sons of Horus. Each organ was then assigned to one of the sons who were in turn protected by another powerful Egyptian deity.
In ancient days, the Egyptians thought that it was practical for the dead if they were willing, to return to the body. Therefore, preserving the various organs was said to be essential. Mummification involved a detailed procedure, where in the organs needed to be removed and kept in the Canopic jars and then in the Canopic chest. It took many days for completion.
The use of Canopic chests was initiated back in the second Dynasty. The Egyptians continued using them till the advent of the Ptolemaic period. However with the passing of time the design and style of the Canopic jar chests had gone through several modifications.
One of the first Canopic burials was proved to have taken place in the fourth Dynasty, during the reign of Menkaure. It was found in the tomb of Queen Meresankh III at Giza. Several other Canopic burials were discovered in the tombs that belong to the Sneferu reign.
The earliest Canopic jars contained the organs in tightly sealed wooden boxes. In other cases they would be placed inside pottery or stone jars and then the jars would be shut with domed or flat lids. The chests themselves were carved out of soft stone. In other cases the chest was actually carved into the floor or wall of a certain tomb.
Around the sixth Dynasty, granite was used to make the Canopic jar chests. Around the eighteenth century, cartonnage, wood, limestone, calcite and numerous other materials were used to make these Canopic jar chests.
Over the years, the Canopic jars wherein the organs of the corpse were kept were also modified. In the beginning these jars were made from stone and covered with flat lids. They were then modified to have dome-shaped lids.
Following this, the Egyptians tried several other materials to make the Canopic jars. The four main organs that were kept in these jars were the stomach, the intestines, the liver and the lungs. Different deities were linked to each of the organs.
With the passing of time the jars were modified conceptually as well as physically. In terms of their physical appearance they were now given lids that depicted a sculpture of jackal heads. They were considered to be representing the four sons of Horus. Each organ was then assigned to one of the sons who were in turn protected by another powerful Egyptian deity.
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