Canopic Jar Representing the Deity Imsety. Dimensions: H. 28 cm (11 in); diam. 15.5 cm (6 1/8 in). Dynasty: Dynasty 18-20. Date: ca. 1550-1070 B.C..
Canopic jars were made to contain the organs that were removed from the body in the process of mummification: the lungs, liver, intestines, and stomach. Each organ was protected by one of the Four Sons of Horus: Hapy (lungs), Imsety (liver), Duamutef (stomach), and Qebehsenuef (intestines). Beginning in the New Kingdom, canopic jar lids were usually carved with heads that identify these four protectors: the baboon head is Hapy, the human head is Imsety, the jackal head is Duamutef, and the falcon head is Qebehsenuef.
This jar, with its human-headed lid probably held the liver and was under the protection of Imsety. The other three jars of the set are 12.183.1b-d.