How Did Egyptians Make Canopic Jars?

Canopic jars were special containers used by the Ancient Egyptians as part of the mummification process. During mummification, the internal organs would be removed from the deceased’s body and placed into four separate jars.

Each of the jars contained one particular organ – the stomach, intestines, lungs, and liver. The jars served the practical purpose of preserving these organs separately from the rest of the body but also held symbolic significance.

They were often highly decorated as the Ancient Egyptians believed the jars would house the organs in the afterlife. They felt preserving the organs was an important step towards achieving eternal life after death. The canopic jars essentially represented a vessel that would allow the deceased to live with all their faculties in the next world.

Thus, canopic jars were a vital part of the mummification ritual for Ancient Egyptians, holding both functional and symbolic importance in their burial practices.

Materials Used

The ancient Egyptians used locally available materials to create canopic jars. The jars themselves were made from clay dug up from the banks of the Nile River. The ancient Egyptians had access to different types of clay, including red clay, gray clay, and brown clay. They selected the best quality clay for molding canopic jars, which was usually red clay due to its durability when fired. The clay was kneaded and blended to remove air pockets before shaping it on a potter’s wheel.

In addition to clay, the Egyptians used minerals and pigments to decorate the canopic jars. Common minerals used were oxides of copper, iron, and manganese, which produced blue, red, and black colors respectively. Malachite, a bright green mineral, was also frequently used. These minerals were ground into a fine powder and mixed with water to produce the pigments used to decorate the jars. The vivid colors helped distinguish the four separate jars used in the canopic jar sets.

Shaping the Jars

The ancient Egyptians shaped canopic jars using two main techniques – wheel-throwing and hand-building. Wheel-throwing was the most common method and involved placing a ball of clay on a potter’s wheel which was then spun rapidly. As the wheel spun, the potter would use their hands to shape the clay into the desired jar form. This allowed the Egyptians to produce jars with thin, symmetrical walls and smooth surfaces. Hand-building was used for more intricate jar shapes and decorative elements. The potter would mold jar necks, handles, heads, and feet by hand before attaching them to the wheel-thrown jar body. Some jars combined both techniques, with the main body wheel-thrown and decorative elements added by hand. The Egyptians became highly skilled at shaping canopic jars using these methods to produce the vessels needed for mummification.

Decoration

Canopic jars were often richly decorated to reflect their important ritual role. The ancient Egyptians used a variety of techniques to beautify the vessels that would hold the organs of their dead.

One method was painting. The jars would be covered with colorful motifs and symbols before firing. Common images included gods and goddesses like the protective Isis and Nephthys, symbols like the djed pillar and ankh, and funeral imagery like the mummy. The Four Sons of Horus, who guarded the organs, were also frequently depicted. Paints were derived from mineral pigments like red ochre, blue azurite, and yellow arsenic sulfide. Binders included egg white, gum arabic, and plant gums.

In addition to painting, canopic jars were often carved. Designs would be engraved into the surface of the vessel. Hieroglyphs with protective spells or the names of the deceased were popular carvings. The carved lines were sometimes filled with colored paste or liquid to make them stand out.

Glazing was another technique used to decorate canopic jars. By applying a glassy coating, the ancient artisans produced a shiny, lustrous finish. The jars were frequently dipped partially in glaze, leaving upper areas with carved and painted designs. Brilliant blue was a common glaze color due to the availability of blue cobalt in Egypt.

Jar Lids

The ancient Egyptians paid special attention to the lids of canopic jars, which were intricately carved and decorated. Each lid was topped with a carved human head representing one of the four sons of Horus. The four sons were Imsety, Hapy, Duamutef and Qebehsenuef. Imsety’s head adorned the lid of the jar containing the liver. Hapy’s head sat atop the jar for the lungs. Duamutef represented the stomach jar, while Qebehsenuef crowned the jar containing the intestines.

These protective sons of Horus symbolically guarded the organs within the jars. The heads were carved in meticulous detail, some with inlaid eyes and individualized facial features. The lids were made to fit precisely over the jar’s opening, with the heads serving as handles for lifting off the covers. The underside of the lids could be flat or concave. To fasten the lids in place, the ancient embalmers sealed them with resin, linen and sometimes wax.

Organ Placement

Each canopic jar held a different organ that was removed from the deceased’s body during the mummification process. The ancient Egyptians removed these organs because they believed they would be needed in the afterlife. The four jars were dedicated to hold the lungs, intestines, stomach, and liver.

The jars were clearly labeled so the organs could be identified. Hieroglyphs were inscribed on the lids, spelling out the name of the specific organ. For example, the hieroglyphs on one jar lid would spell out “lungs.” This helped ensure the organs were returned to the correct place within the mummy’s body after mummification was complete.

The four sons of Horus were also associated with the canopic jars and their organ contents. Imsety protected the liver, Duamutef protected the stomach, Hapi protected the lungs, and Qebehsenuef protected the intestines. Images or heads of the four sons of Horus often appeared on the exterior of the jars along with inscriptions.

Sealing the Jars

After the organs were placed in the canopic jars, the ancient Egyptians had to seal them shut to preserve and protect the contents. They used a variety of sealing methods and materials to accomplish this important final step.

One of the main sealing methods was to cover the lid with plaster. The embalmers would coat the exterior of the jar lid with a layer of wet plaster. As the plaster dried, it would harden into an airtight seal around the edges of the lid. The plaster provided a protective shell and prevented air from entering the jar and decomposing the organs inside.

Another technique was to melt wax and pour it over the jar lid so it dripped down the sides. When the wax cooled and hardened, it adhered the lid to the jar body securely. The wax seal was moisture-resistant and durable. It also gave the jars an attractive glossy finish.

The Egyptians also used linen or papyrus bandages soaked in resin to tie and bind the lids. The resin helped the cloth bindings stick tightly to the jar after drying. These linen seals were wrapped over and under the lid for maximum hold. The cloth bindings fastened the lids on securely while still allowing some movement if jostled.

Multiple sealing methods were often combined for maximum effectiveness. The embalmers might first coat the lid with plaster, then add wax over the top, and finally wrap linen bindings around the entire jar. These layers worked together to hermetically seal the canopic jars and protect the treasured organs inside for eternity.

Jar Variations

Canopic jars exhibited some variations based on the time period in which they were created and the social class of the deceased. In the Old Kingdom, canopic jars were plain in style with minimal decoration. As Egyptian culture evolved, canopic jars became more ornate and stylized. During the Middle Kingdom, canopic jars took on a more human-like appearance with carved heads and detailed facial features. The jars of pharaohs and other royalty were often made of expensive materials like alabaster and decorated with gold or gemstones.

Canopic jars also differed based on social class. Wealthy Egyptians had four jars, one for each organ. Middle class Egyptians may have opted for just one or two jars to hold all organs together to save on costs. The poor used simple pots or hollowed out stones rather than the ornate jars of the upper class. Over time, even non-royal Egyptians gained access to more decorative jars as production costs went down and they became more widely available.

The differences in jar style and ornamentation provide insight into the evolution of Egyptian society and culture over thousands of years. They also reveal the importance placed on preparation for the afterlife, as all social classes made some effort to preserve internal organs through mummification in canopic jars according to their means.

Discovery and Significance

Canopic jars have been discovered in tombs and burial sites throughout Egypt. Some of the most significant discoveries include:

The tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings contained four stunning canopic jars made of calcite and beautifully decorated. This discovery gave archaeologists invaluable insight into royal burial practices.

Canopic jars were found in the tombs of non-royal Egyptians as well. In Tell el-Amarna, jars made of pottery and faience belonging to nobles and officials were uncovered.

In tombs from the New Kingdom period onwards, hundreds of Canopic jars made of different materials have been found. This indicates the widespread use of the jars in mummification.

The jars found have revealed much about ancient Egyptian beliefs, funerary rituals, art styles and materials over different dynasties. They provide a window into the intricate and elaborate process of mummification.

Canopic jars are considered one of the hallmarks of ancient Egyptian civilization. Their discovery has greatly expanded our understanding of this fascinating culture.

Conclusion

Canopic jars were an integral part of the ancient Egyptian embalming process and burial rituals. They contained and preserved the organs removed from the corpse during mummification. These striking jars took immense skill and artistry to produce.

The ancient Egyptians made canopic jars by hand from materials like limestone, calcite, travertine, and Egyptian alabaster. Skilled artisans shaped and carved jars from stone blanks, gradually refining their form using tools like copper chisels, flint blades, and abrasive materials. The jars were often decorated with intricate carvings, engravings, painting, and inlays invoking Egyptian gods and symbols.

Each jar housed one of four organs removed during mummification – the lungs, liver, stomach, and intestines. The jars were topped with carved heads representing the four sons of the god Horus, who acted as protective deities. The jars were carefully sealed and placed in the tomb alongside the wrapped mummy.

Canopic jars provide invaluable insight into Egyptian beliefs, values, and burial practices. Their discovery in tombs has greatly expanded our understanding of this fascinating civilization. These iconic Egyptian artifacts continue to captivate us today with their elaborate craftsmanship and symbolic purpose.