Egyptian Museum, Cairo. 600 B.C.

Canopic Jars were in use from the Old Kingdom onwards in Egypt to
store various internal organs removed during the process of
mummification. They were four in number and eventually came to
represent the Four Sons of Horus. Each jar had a characteristic head
associated with the demi-god charged with the safekeeping of a
particular human organ. These four genii also represented the four
cardinal points of the compass. Duamutef, the jackal-headed jar
representing the east, contained the stomach and was protected by
the goddess Neith. Qebehsenuef, the falcon-headed jar representing
the west, contained the intestines and was protected by the goddess
Selket. Hapi, the baboon-headed jar representing the north, contained
the lungs and was protected by the goddess Nephthys. Imseti, the
human-headed jar representing the south, contained the liver and was
protected by the goddess Isis.

Product SKU: E-048S