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Material : Silver
Found in : Tomb of Psusennes I , Grave of Sheshonq II (1940)
Period : Third Intermediate Period
Reign of : Sheshonq II
Dynasty: XXII
Belonged_to: Sheshonq II
Archeologist : PIERRE MONTET
This group of items was found by the French archeologist Pierre Montet in the grave of King Sheshonq II in an antechamber in the Tomb of Psusennes I , in Tanis . The tomb housed grave goods including gold funerary masks , coffins , gold masks , and numerous other items of precious jewelry belonging to Psusennes I , Siamun , Psusennes II , Sheshonq II , Sheshonq III , and general Undjebauendjed . This particular set consists of a silver falcon-headed sarcophagus and four canopic vases belonging to King Sheshonq II , the third ruler of the Twenty-second Dynasty .
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 which have affinities with full-sized coffins . The organs of Sheshonq II were placed in containers in the image of the King in the Osiride-form wearing a false beard and a royal nemes (Pharaonic headdress) with the uraeus serpent in the center . He is totally wrapped in bandages with only the fists visible . Below the fists are engraved some hieroglyphic inscriptions stating the names of the Four Sons of Horus who were believed to protect the organs: \"Imset , Duamutef , Hapi , and Qebehsenuef . \"
With the hands bearing the crook and flail of Osiris , the anthropoid sarcophagus denotes a high degree of accuracy and artistic value . Decorating the lid are depictions of feathers of winged goddesses (such as Isis and Nephthys) . It denotes identification between both the King and Osiris-Sokari , an underworld , funerary god in the Memphis necropolis . The lower part of the sarcophagus is ornamented with a carving of the Sons of Horus facing one another in pairs .
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