Canopic jar chests were one of the most important ritualistic items utilized in the elaborate burial customs that the Egyptians practiced. Prior to the mummification process many organs were removed from the dead body and placed inside Canopic jars which would consequently be placed inside a Canopic chest. The chest containing the organs would be placed next to the tomb in a dedicated space called the Canopic shrine.
In ancient days, the Egyptians thought that it was practical for the dead if they were willing, to return to the body. Therefore, preserving the different organs was supposed to be essential. Mummification involved a detailed procedure, where in the organs needed to be removed and kept in the Canopic jars and then in the Canopic chest. It took many days for completion.
Canopic chests were first used during the second Dynasty period. As years passed by, these Canopic jar chests were altered several times to portray different designs. They were used in ritualism till the arrival of the Ptolemaic age.
The earliest proven evidence of Canopic burials goes 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. Examples of Canopic burials have also been found from the tombs that were made during the reign of Sneferu.
Among the oldest Canopic jars, boxes made from wood were used to put the internal organs, and were fastened securely. Jars made from stone or potteries were also used in some burials. They were covered either with flattened or dome-like lids. The chests were made out of soft stone. However, in some instances, they were made by shaping out the floor of the tomb or perhaps the wall of the tomb by cutting through them.
Throughout the sixth Dynasty, granite was utilized to make the Canopic jar chests. Around the eighteenth century, cartonnage, wood, limestone, calcite and numerous other materials were used to make these Canopic jar chests.
Over the years, the Canopic jars wherein the organs of the corpse were kept were also modified. At first these jars were made of stone and covered with flat lids. They were then modified to have dome-shaped lids.
Following this the Egyptians experimented with a number of different materials which they utilized to create the jars. These jars contained four organs which were the liver, the stomach, the lungs and the intestines. Each of these organs was associated with specific deities.
Through the centuries, alterations in making the Canopic jars were visualized in numerous ways. A number of the ideas were practically put to work, to make a variety of Canopic jars. In several jars, the lids were made out of a sculpture of jackal heads. These jackal heads were symbolic of the four sons of Horus. Each one of the organs was ascribed to one of the sons of Hours. These were further guarded by some other stronger Egyptian deity.
In ancient days, the Egyptians thought that it was practical for the dead if they were willing, to return to the body. Therefore, preserving the different organs was supposed to be essential. Mummification involved a detailed procedure, where in the organs needed to be removed and kept in the Canopic jars and then in the Canopic chest. It took many days for completion.
Canopic chests were first used during the second Dynasty period. As years passed by, these Canopic jar chests were altered several times to portray different designs. They were used in ritualism till the arrival of the Ptolemaic age.
The earliest proven evidence of Canopic burials goes 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. Examples of Canopic burials have also been found from the tombs that were made during the reign of Sneferu.
Among the oldest Canopic jars, boxes made from wood were used to put the internal organs, and were fastened securely. Jars made from stone or potteries were also used in some burials. They were covered either with flattened or dome-like lids. The chests were made out of soft stone. However, in some instances, they were made by shaping out the floor of the tomb or perhaps the wall of the tomb by cutting through them.
Throughout the sixth Dynasty, granite was utilized to make the Canopic jar chests. Around the eighteenth century, cartonnage, wood, limestone, calcite and numerous other materials were used to make these Canopic jar chests.
Over the years, the Canopic jars wherein the organs of the corpse were kept were also modified. At first these jars were made of stone and covered with flat lids. They were then modified to have dome-shaped lids.
Following this the Egyptians experimented with a number of different materials which they utilized to create the jars. These jars contained four organs which were the liver, the stomach, the lungs and the intestines. Each of these organs was associated with specific deities.
Through the centuries, alterations in making the Canopic jars were visualized in numerous ways. A number of the ideas were practically put to work, to make a variety of Canopic jars. In several jars, the lids were made out of a sculpture of jackal heads. These jackal heads were symbolic of the four sons of Horus. Each one of the organs was ascribed to one of the sons of Hours. These were further guarded by some other stronger Egyptian deity.
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