Canopic jar chests were among the most important ritualistic items utilized in the elaborate burial customs that the Egyptians practiced. Prior to the mummification process many organs were taken out of the dead body and placed inside Canopic jars which would in turn be placed inside a Canopic chest. The chest containing the organs would be placed adjacent to the tomb in a dedicated space known as the Canopic shrine.
According to ancient Egyptian belief the deceased had the opportunity to return to its body if it willed. For this reason they considered it imperative to preserve the various organs. The entire mummification process where the organs would be removed and stored in these jars to be kept in the chest was quite elaborate and could take numerous days.
It was in the second Dynasty that the use of Canopic chests originated. Over the days the Canopic jar chests were modified every now and then depicting various kinds of designs. They were used until the beginning of the Ptolemaic period.
The earliest proven evidence of Canopic burials dates back to the fourth Dynasty and was discovered at Giza in the tomb of Queen Meresankh III. This was during the time period of the reign of Menkaure. Instances of Canopic burials have also been found from the tombs that were made during the reign of Sneferu.
In the very first Canopic jars, the organs which were taken off the corpse were secured in wooden boxes. In some other instances, these were kept in stone jars or in pottery and closed with flat or dome-shaped lids. The chests were either designed by cutting out from soft stone, or were cut appropriately into the wall or ground of the specified tomb.
When they entered the sixth Dynasty, Egyptians made use of granite stones to make the chests. The beginning of the 18th century introduced wood, limestone, cartonnage, calcite and lots of other materials to serve the purpose of creating the Canopic jar chests.
The Canopic jars that contained the organs of the dead body also went through a series of modifications with time. They started out as simple stone jars with flat lids. The first modification came in the form of domed lids.
After this the Egyptians experimented with a number of different materials which they used to create the jars. These jars contained four organs that were the liver, the stomach, the lungs and the intestines. Each of these organs was associated with specific deities.
Over the years, many modifications of the Canopic jars were conceptualized, but some were applied to them. In some jars the lids were sculpted to portray jackal heads. This was supposed to portray the four sons of Horus. Every organ was related to a son, and they were given protection by another Egyptian deity possessing more power.
According to ancient Egyptian belief the deceased had the opportunity to return to its body if it willed. For this reason they considered it imperative to preserve the various organs. The entire mummification process where the organs would be removed and stored in these jars to be kept in the chest was quite elaborate and could take numerous days.
It was in the second Dynasty that the use of Canopic chests originated. Over the days the Canopic jar chests were modified every now and then depicting various kinds of designs. They were used until the beginning of the Ptolemaic period.
The earliest proven evidence of Canopic burials dates back to the fourth Dynasty and was discovered at Giza in the tomb of Queen Meresankh III. This was during the time period of the reign of Menkaure. Instances of Canopic burials have also been found from the tombs that were made during the reign of Sneferu.
In the very first Canopic jars, the organs which were taken off the corpse were secured in wooden boxes. In some other instances, these were kept in stone jars or in pottery and closed with flat or dome-shaped lids. The chests were either designed by cutting out from soft stone, or were cut appropriately into the wall or ground of the specified tomb.
When they entered the sixth Dynasty, Egyptians made use of granite stones to make the chests. The beginning of the 18th century introduced wood, limestone, cartonnage, calcite and lots of other materials to serve the purpose of creating the Canopic jar chests.
The Canopic jars that contained the organs of the dead body also went through a series of modifications with time. They started out as simple stone jars with flat lids. The first modification came in the form of domed lids.
After this the Egyptians experimented with a number of different materials which they used to create the jars. These jars contained four organs that were the liver, the stomach, the lungs and the intestines. Each of these organs was associated with specific deities.
Over the years, many modifications of the Canopic jars were conceptualized, but some were applied to them. In some jars the lids were sculpted to portray jackal heads. This was supposed to portray the four sons of Horus. Every organ was related to a son, and they were given protection by another Egyptian deity possessing more power.
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Ancient Egyptian Bastet Clothes hold special significance amongst enthusiasts in this field. You will find far more detailed info available if you visit our guide to Ancient Egyptian Mythology.
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