Canopic jar

A vessel used in ancient Egyptian burials to hold organs removed during embalming. Sets of jars often had lids depicting the four sons of Horus, who guarded the organs.

Ancient Egyptian mummification: The process of preserving bodies for burial in ancient Egypt through drying, treatment, wrapping, and ritual. Mummification removed organs that were stored separately in canopic jars.
Canopic chest: A box or shrine used to hold and protect canopic jars in an ancient Egyptian burial. It housed the jars as a group and could be placed near the mummy.
Old Kingdom: A period of ancient Egyptian history, conventionally dated about 2686–2181 BCE. Canopic equipment emerged in early forms during this period.
Tutankhamun’s canopic shrine: An alabaster shrine from Tutankhamun’s tomb that enclosed a chest holding his canopic equipment. Its elaborate form shows how royal burials could protect the jars within a nested shrine.
Four sons of Horus: Four protective deities in ancient Egyptian religion, associated with safeguarding the deceased and their organs. Each deity was traditionally linked to one organ and a jar in a four-piece set.
Imsety: A human-headed son of Horus who guarded the liver of the deceased. His image commonly appeared on the jar assigned to the liver.
Middle Kingdom: A period of ancient Egyptian history, conventionally dated about 2055–1650 BCE. Jar forms and funerary practices changed substantially across this era.
Canopic jars of Kiya: A set of alabaster canopic jars associated with Kiya, a royal woman of the Amarna period. Their individualized lids provide a well-known royal example of the form.
Egyptian afterlife beliefs: Religious beliefs and practices concerning existence after death in ancient Egypt. Preserving the body and organs supported the deceased’s continued existence after death.
Hapy (son of Horus): A baboon-headed son of Horus who guarded the lungs of the deceased. His image commonly appeared on the jar assigned to the lungs.

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