egyptbc.com

Canopic jars were used by the ancient Egyptians during the process of mummification. During the ritual of mummification the Pharoah, or other important body, would have it’s main internal organs removed.

Many people believe that the removal of these organs had some spiritual or religious significance, however, it was done for far more practical reasons - soft organs consist primarily of water and other fluid which would lead to quick decomposition of the obdy should they have not been removed. This is why so many Pharoah’s and other mummies have been discovered in excellent condition over the years.

Of course there was some spiritual significance attached to the process too - the Egyptians believed that the organs were required by the deceased in the afterlife and placing them in canopic jars ensured that they were protected by the Sons of Horus themselves.

The organs were placed into 4 canopic jars which had lids fashioned after the four sons of Horus. In later years this changed to humanoid figures that were half man, half beast, such as the Jackal, Falcon and Baboon.

Canopic jars were generally fashioned from limestone or alabaster and were placed around the deceased’s sarcophogi, ready for use in the afterlife. The organs that were removed and placed in the jars were -

• liver
• stomach and upper intestines
• lower intestines
• lungs

Strangely, the brain was almost always removed too, through the nasal cavity, but not often kept.