RSSA Cursory Insight Into Ancient Egyptian Canopic Jar Chests
Apr 24
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 taken out of 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.
As per ancient Egyptian belief the deceased had the opportunity to return to its body if it willed. This is why they considered it imperative to preserve the different organs. The entire mummification process where the organs would be taken out and stored in these jars to be kept in the chest was quite elaborate and could take a number of 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 several types of designs. They were in use until the beginning of the Ptolemaic period.
The earliest proven evidence of Canopic burials goes back to the fourth Dynasty and was found 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 that were taken off the corpse were secured in wooden boxes. In some other instances, they 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.
By the sixth Dynasty the Canopic jar chests were being made from granite. By the 1700s a multitude of materials were used to make the chests including wood, cartonnage, limestone and calcite.
As centuries passed by, the Canopic jars utilized to place the organs were altered too. When they were first made, only stone was utilized and had lids which were flat. Later, they were altered for making dome-like lids.
Following this the Egyptians tried several 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 connected with specific deities.
Through the centuries, alterations in making the Canopic jars were visualized in various ways. A number of the ideas were practically put to work, to produce a variety of Canopic jars. In a number of jars, the lids were made out of a sculpture of jackal heads. These jackal heads were symbolic of the four sons of Horus. Each of the organs was ascribed to one of the sons of Hours. These were further guarded by some other stronger Egyptian deity.
The ancient Egyptian ankh symbol is said to represent eternal life. For more information on ancient Egyptian boat designs click on the link.
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