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Material : Alabaster and Gold Leaf
Found in : Tanis , Tomb of Psusennes I , Crypt of Psusennes I (1940)
Period : Third Intermediate Period
Reign of : Psusennes I
Dynasty: XXI
Belonged_to: Psusennes I
Archeologist : Pierre Montet
These four canopic jars were found among the treasures included in the Tomb of Psusennes I , in Tanis . Ancient Egyptians paid much attention to the preservation of the dead body's viscera . The manner of treatment each internal organ of the body received varied according to the Ancient Egyptians' perceptions of their significance . The brain was discarded , because its function was not understood . The heart was considered to be the physical "centre" of the individual and the location of the intelligence . The visceral packages were treated as miniature mummies , separately preserved and encased in containers . These vases , which have affinities with full-sized coffins , were usually made from alabaster , calcite , or terracotta .
These vases are protected by the Four Sons of Horus (the human-headed Imset , dog-headed Duamutef , baboon-headed Hapi , and falcon-headed Qebehsenuf) . The liver was protected by Amset; the stomach by Duamutef; the lungs by Hapi; and the intestines by Qebehsenuf . The lids are covered with a thin layer of gold leaf and glass paste topped by a uraeus serpent (a symbol of protection against evil influences) . Each vase is decorated with hieroglyphics and invocation that protect it .
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