Human-Headed Canopic Jar

Human-Headed Canopic Jar

Lawrence Technological University

May 8, 2019

Aluzzo, Adrienne (photograph)

containers (receptacles)

1570-1293 BCE

Michigan (state)

Ann Arbor (inhabited place)

Eighteenth Dynasty (Egyptian)

canopic jars

Front view of canopic jar with human head from the Fayum region of Egypt, now housed at the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology in Ann Arbor, MI. Printed on card with exhibit: This ceramic canopic jar was painted to resemble calcite, a costlier material. The original inscription is visible on the side; the black ink inscription on the front was added by a modern antiquities dealer, probably to enhance the value of the artifact. "Beginning in the 4th Dynasty, an important step in the ancient Egyptian embalming process was the removal of some of the deceased's internal organs. After being wrapped in resin-soaked linen, the organs were deposited in special places in the tomb walls, in pits in the floor, or in a special, compartmentalized container called a canopic chest. Over time, canopic chests were more frequently used and the organ packages were placed inside jars nested in the chests. Canopic jars were made from a variety of materials, including stone, wood, pottery, and glazed composition. Jars of the Old Kingdom had very simple lids. Middle Kingdom jars have lids that resemble human heads. New Kingdom lids represent the four sons of Horus: Imsety, human-headed, guarded the liver inside; Hapy, ape-headed, guarded the lungs; Dwamutef, jackal-headed, guarded the stomach; Qebhsenuef, falcon-headed, guarded the intestines."--Spurlock Museum of World Cultures website.

clay

paint (coating)

jpeg

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LTU-KM002