One of the most fascinating parts of ancient Egyptian mummification was the removal and preservation of certain internal organs. But why did the Egyptians do this?
.png)
Why Were the Organs Removed?
During mummification, the Egyptians removed several internal organs to help preserve the body. According to Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the liver, lungs, stomach, and intestines were removed and preserved separately. The heart was generally left in the body because it had an important religious and spiritual role.
Removing the organs was part of the larger process of preventing the body from decaying.
What Were Canopic Jars?
The preserved organs were placed in special containers called canopic jars.
There were four jars, and each was associated with one of the Four Sons of Horus, who were believed to protect the organs in the afterlife.
The four guardians were:
Imsety — human-headed — protected the liver.
Hapy — baboon-headed — protected the lungs.
Duamutef — jackal-headed — protected the stomach.
Qebehsenuef — falcon-headed — protected the intestines.
Did the Jars Always Look the Same?
No. Canopic jars changed over thousands of years.
They are known from the Old Kingdom, while during the New Kingdom their lids increasingly took the form of the Four Sons of Horus.
This makes canopic jars valuable not only for understanding mummification, but also for studying the development of Egyptian funerary art and beliefs.
Why Were the Organs Preserved?
The Egyptians believed that the deceased would need important parts of the body in the afterlife.
Therefore, removing the organs did not mean throwing them away. Instead, they were carefully preserved and protected alongside the mummy.
A Fascinating Part of Mummification
Canopic jars reveal something important about ancient Egyptian beliefs: preserving the dead was not simply about stopping decay.
It was part of a much larger religious idea in which the body, its organs, protective deities, and funerary rituals were all connected to the journey into the afterlife.
Discover More About Egyptian Mummification
How Was Mummification Done in Ancient Egypt?
What Was Natron and Why Was It Important for Mummification?
What Did Ancient Egyptians Put Inside a Mummy’s Wrappings?
Who Was Anubis? The God of Mummification and the Afterlife