Canopic jar chests were among the most important ritualistic items utilized in the elaborate burial customs that the Egyptians practiced. Before 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 adjacent to the tomb in a dedicated space known as the Canopic shrine.
According to ancient Egyptian belief the deceased had the opportunity to return to its body if it willed. For this reason they considered it imperative to preserve the various organs. The entire mummification process where the organs would be removed and stored in these jars to be kept in the chest was quite elaborate and could take numerous days.
It was in the second Dynasty that using Canopic chests originated. Over the days the Canopic jar chests were modified from time to time depicting various kinds of designs. They were in use until the beginning of the Ptolemaic period.
One of the first Canopic burials was proved to occured in the fourth Dynasty, during the reign of Menkaure. It was found in the tomb of Queen Meresankh III at Giza. Several other Canopic burials were found in the tombs that belong to the Sneferu reign.
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 out of granite. By the 18th century a wide variety of materials were being used to make the chests including wood, cartonnage, limestone and calcite.
Over the years, the Canopic jars wherein the organs of the corpse were kept were also modified. In the beginning these jars were made from stone and covered with flat lids. These were then modified to have dome-shaped lids.
After this, the Egyptians tried several other materials to make the Canopic jars. The four main organs which were kept in these jars were the stomach, the intestines, the liver and the lungs. Different deities were linked to each of the organs.
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 produce a variety of Canopic jars. In several jars, the lids were made with 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. They were further guarded by some other stronger Egyptian deity.
According to ancient Egyptian belief the deceased had the opportunity to return to its body if it willed. For this reason they considered it imperative to preserve the various organs. The entire mummification process where the organs would be removed and stored in these jars to be kept in the chest was quite elaborate and could take numerous days.
It was in the second Dynasty that using Canopic chests originated. Over the days the Canopic jar chests were modified from time to time depicting various kinds of designs. They were in use until the beginning of the Ptolemaic period.
One of the first Canopic burials was proved to occured in the fourth Dynasty, during the reign of Menkaure. It was found in the tomb of Queen Meresankh III at Giza. Several other Canopic burials were found in the tombs that belong to the Sneferu reign.
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 out of granite. By the 18th century a wide variety of materials were being used to make the chests including wood, cartonnage, limestone and calcite.
Over the years, the Canopic jars wherein the organs of the corpse were kept were also modified. In the beginning these jars were made from stone and covered with flat lids. These were then modified to have dome-shaped lids.
After this, the Egyptians tried several other materials to make the Canopic jars. The four main organs which were kept in these jars were the stomach, the intestines, the liver and the lungs. Different deities were linked to each of the organs.
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 produce a variety of Canopic jars. In several jars, the lids were made with 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. They were further guarded by some other stronger Egyptian deity.
About the Author:
Ancient Egyptian Remedies are becoming more popular. If you'd like to learn more you can have a look at our page on Ancient Egyptian Tattoos.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire