Canopic Jar with Falcon's Head
Canopic Jar with Falcon's Head, Egypt, Late Period, Dynasty 26 664-525 BC
1921.1018
Not on display
In the process of mummification certain organs-the liver, the lungs, the stomach, and the intestines-were removed, embalmed separately, and stored in jars, known as canopic jars after the Greek sailor Canopus, who was said to be buried at Canopus (Abuqir) in the western Delta and worshiped there in the form of a human-headed jar. Each of the organs was identified with one of the Four Sons of Horus: the liver with Imsety (man's head), the lungs with Hapy (baboon's head), the stomach with Duamutef (jackal's head), and the intestines with Qebehsenuef (falcon's head). The four gods were in turn placed under the protection of four goddesses, Imsety being associated with Isis, Hapy with Nephthys, Duamutef with Neith, and Qebehsenuef with Selkis.
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