Fragments of a Canopic Jar Inscribed for Senimen

Fragments of several canopic jars, including a fragmentary human-headed lid, were uncovered during the Museum's excavations in the vicinity of Theban tomb (TT) no. 252, the tomb of a man named Senimen. A high official during the reign of Thutmose II and the joint reign of Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, Senimen was the steward and tutor of Princess Neferure, Thutmose II and Hatshepsut’s daughter.

The purpose of canopic jars in ancient Egypt was to hold and protect the viscera removed from the deceased’s body during the mummification process. They traditionally came in sets of four, with the liver, lungs, stomach and intestines each embalmed and stored individually. The four containers were usually put inside a chest and placed in the tomb chamber.
These seven joined fragments comprise the front of a jar bearing an inscription naming Senimen and invoking the goddess Nephthys and the deity Hapy, one of the four Sons of Horus. Under the goddess’s protection, Hapy’s task was to guard the lungs of Senimen, which probably were stored in this jar.