Central to ancient Egyptian religious beliefs was the need to preserve the body. A method of artificial preservation, called mummification was developed by the ancient Egyptians. Mummification was a complicated and lengthy process which lasted up to 70 days. It began with the body being delivered to the embalmer. He would then bathe the body and lay it out. In preparation, the priests would shave their entire bodies and the priest in charge would wear the mask of a jackal representing the god Anubis. At this point, the brains were removed through the nostrils, and then an incision was made in the side of the body. All of the major organs were removed and placed in canopic jars. There were four organs to be removed each time, and there were four canopic jars to guard them. The organs were placed in the following canopic jars:

Major Organ

Canopic Jar

Lungs Hapi (baboon)

Stomach Duamutefla (dog)

Liver Imseti (human)

Intestines Qebehsenuef (falcon)