Djediufankh's canopic jar

Calcite canopic jar naming the priest Djediufankh. Hieroglyphs on the front read 'servant of the god [the priest], foremost in the house of Amun, Djediufankh, born of Ankhmut and Psamtek'.

 

The jar had no lid, so stains on the inside were analysed using GCMS. This revealed cholesterol and human bile acid, indicating the jar had once contained a human stomach. This meant the original lid would have been the jackal-headed Duamutef and that this is a canopic jar.

 

The analysis also revealed the organs had been sterilised using alcohol, which was proven to be date palm wine mixed with imported cinnamon, and conifer and pistacia resins. The resins used on the organs are likely to have been used to perfume bodily decay whilst also having antibacterial qualities.

 

Canopic jars were used to house the internal organs of the deceased. Each jar was protected by a god who was shown on the jar lid, one of the four sons of Horus. Hapi (ape headed) for the lungs, Imsety (human headed) for the liver, Duamutef (jackal headed) for the stomach and Qebsenuef (falcon headed) for the intestines.

 

C.664 - 525 BC

Egypt. Unknown provenance.