The Four Sons of Horus |
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The four Sons of Horus are protector Gods. During the embalming and mummification process, the body organs, specifically the lungs, the liver, the stomach, and the intestines, were removed from the body and preserved in canopic jars. During the Middle Kingdom the canopic jars were made of wood, pottery, faience, or stone and were of a squat design with a plain stopper. By the New Kingdom, the stoppers were carved into the shape of the heads of the four Sons of Horus. The jar containing the liver was guarded by the god Imsety, and the stopper was carved into a human head with a beard. The protector of the lungs was the god Hapi, and his head was that of a baboon. The intestines were protected by the god Qebehsenef, and the stopper was the head of a hawk. The fourth jar, containing the stomach, was protected by the god Duamutef, whose head was a jackal. |
Set of Canopic Jars, Dynasty 26 ( 664 - 525 b.c.) Limestone, h. 25 cm largest ( 9 7/8 in.), University of Pennsylvania Museum Imsety Hapi Qebehsenef Duamutef |