Canopic Jar

Canopic Jar

Object name: Canopic Jar
Date: 2400-30 BC
Dimensions:
130 x 90 x 110 mm
Medium: Limestone
Object number: C00475
DescriptionLid of a canopic jar. When Egyptians were mummified, the liver, lungs, stomach and intestines were removed and put into canopic jars and buried with the deceased. Each jar depicted a god who was responsible for that organ. This jar depicts the head of Imset or Imseti or Amset. Many other Egyptian gods have animal heads but Imset has a human one. Imset was associated with the liver so the jar would therefore have probably held the deceased person's liver.
Culture: Ancient Egyptian