Ritualism is widespread among Egyptians, who habitually carry out various rites throughout a funeral. Canopic jar chests have a significant place among the many things they use. While making preparations to keep the dead body as a mummy, several internal parts were taken out. They were placed in Canopic jars. These jars containing the organs were further placed in a Canopic chest. Then the chest was kept close to the burial-vault or tomb, and the space dedicated for the purpose was named as the Canopic shrine.
For the ancient Egyptians, it was a common belief that if the dead was willing, it could return to the body, necessitating the preservation of the body including the internal parts. In order to preserve the body, a lengthy and complicated procedure was carried out, and the resultant mummy was put in the tomb. It required several days to complete the task. During the process, the internal parts needed to be removed and placed in the Canopic jars that were further put in the Canopic chest.
The use of Canopic chests was initiated back in the second Dynasty. The Egyptians continued using them till the advent of the Ptolemaic period. However with the passing of time the style and design of the Canopic jar chests had gone through many modifications.
The earliest proven evidence of Canopic burials dates 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. 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 of wood were utilized to place 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 from soft stone. However, in some instances, they were created by shaping out the floor of the tomb or even the wall of the tomb by cutting through them.
Throughout the sixth Dynasty, granite was utilized in making the Canopic jar chests. Around the eighteenth century, cartonnage, wood, limestone, calcite and numerous other materials were used to produce these Canopic jar chests.
As centuries passed by, the Canopic jars utilized to place the organs were altered too. When they were first made, only stone was used and had lids that were flat. Later, they were altered for making dome-like lids.
In due course, Egyptians worked with many types of materials for making the Canopic jars. The four most important internal organs namely, the intestines, stomach, lungs and liver were put in the Canopic jars. Each organ was divinely ascribed to a particular deity.
With the passing of time the jars were modified conceptually as well as physically. In terms of their physical appearance they were now given lids that depicted a sculpture of jackal heads. They were considered to be representing the four sons of Horus. Each organ was then assigned to one of the sons who were in turn protected by another powerful Egyptian deity.
For the ancient Egyptians, it was a common belief that if the dead was willing, it could return to the body, necessitating the preservation of the body including the internal parts. In order to preserve the body, a lengthy and complicated procedure was carried out, and the resultant mummy was put in the tomb. It required several days to complete the task. During the process, the internal parts needed to be removed and placed in the Canopic jars that were further put in the Canopic chest.
The use of Canopic chests was initiated back in the second Dynasty. The Egyptians continued using them till the advent of the Ptolemaic period. However with the passing of time the style and design of the Canopic jar chests had gone through many modifications.
The earliest proven evidence of Canopic burials dates 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. 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 of wood were utilized to place 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 from soft stone. However, in some instances, they were created by shaping out the floor of the tomb or even the wall of the tomb by cutting through them.
Throughout the sixth Dynasty, granite was utilized in making the Canopic jar chests. Around the eighteenth century, cartonnage, wood, limestone, calcite and numerous other materials were used to produce these Canopic jar chests.
As centuries passed by, the Canopic jars utilized to place the organs were altered too. When they were first made, only stone was used and had lids that were flat. Later, they were altered for making dome-like lids.
In due course, Egyptians worked with many types of materials for making the Canopic jars. The four most important internal organs namely, the intestines, stomach, lungs and liver were put in the Canopic jars. Each organ was divinely ascribed to a particular deity.
With the passing of time the jars were modified conceptually as well as physically. In terms of their physical appearance they were now given lids that depicted a sculpture of jackal heads. They were considered to be representing the four sons of Horus. Each organ was then assigned to one of the sons who were in turn protected by another powerful Egyptian deity.
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