Canopic Jar of Duamutef

The four sons of Horus were a group of four gods in ancient Egyptian religion, who were essentially the personifications of the four canopic jars, which accompanied mummified bodies.

Here is the Duamutef canopic jar decorated with a lid in the shape of a jackal head, sacred animal of Anubis. Duamutef, the jackal-headed son of Horus, protected the stomach of the deceased and was in turn protected by the goddess Neith.

From the Royal Cachette DB320, Deir el-Bahari, West Thebes. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 26254

Photo: Sandro Vannini