Friday March 29th, 2024
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Four Ancient Egyptian Canopic Jars Found by Chance at Beni Suef

The four statues were identified as the canopic jars of an unknown mummy, which may lead to another discovery.

Cairo Scene

An archaeological committee randomly discovered four canopic jars of an unknown ancient Egyptian yummy while cleaning an archaeological site in the area of Ihnasia in Beni Suef governorate.

Having been the capital of Egypt during the ninth and tenth Dynasties, from 2242 BC to 2452 BC, this archaeological site in Ihnasis covers about 390 acres, and contains the remains of King Ramesses II quartz statues as well.

The newly discovered canopic jars are shaped after four sons of the ancient Egyptian god, Horus, namely  Mesti, Hapi, Duamutef and Qebehsenuef. The four statues, also known as viscera jars, hold a great significance in the ancient Egyptian civilization as they were used to contain the internal organs of the deceased, who were typically members of the elite. The jars’ faces are made of limestone while the rest of their bodies are made of alabaster.

For now, the owner of the remains within these canopic jars is unknown, which may lead to another discovery later on.