canopic jars

Glossaries

Term	Definition
canopic jars	Canopic jars are vessels used in ancient Egypt to preserve embalmed viscera during mummification. In ancient Egyptian funerary practices, canopic jars were essential for preserving the internal organs of the deceased, which were removed during the mummification process to prevent decomposition. Typically, there were four jars, each guarded by one of the Four Sons of Horus. Each jar featured a lid sculpted in the likeness of its divine protector: Imsety with a human head for the liver, Hapy with a baboon head for the lungs, Duamutef with a jackal head for the stomach, and Qebehsenuef with a falcon head for the intestines. These jars were often made of alabaster, a material valued for both its aesthetics and durability.

Term

Definition

Canopic jars are vessels used in ancient Egypt to preserve embalmed viscera during mummification.

In ancient Egyptian funerary practices, canopic jars were essential for preserving the internal organs of the deceased, which were removed during the mummification process to prevent decomposition. Typically, there were four jars, each guarded by one of the Four Sons of Horus. Each jar featured a lid sculpted in the likeness of its divine protector: Imsety with a human head for the liver, Hapy with a baboon head for the lungs, Duamutef with a jackal head for the stomach, and Qebehsenuef with a falcon head for the intestines. These jars were often made of alabaster, a material valued for both its aesthetics and durability.