The photo shows a box that is worn down, faded and cracked. The images on the sides of the box look like different Egyptian animal gods. One image is of a jackal, the other is of a hawk or eagle."/> Study the image of the artwork and accompanying description. On the discussion board, consider the questions posed regarding this artwork. Respectfully respond to two of your classmates’ entries.
What insight do the details of this artwork provide about the importance of organ preservation in Egyptian culture? Given the Egyptians’ belief in the afterlife, why do you think they preserved the organs in this way?
Why do you think Pharaohs and other important Egyptians were to be buried with the Ushabtis, or “helpers”?
The details of this artwork suggest that organ preservation was highly important in Egyptian culture due to their beliefs in the afterlife. The images of Egyptian animal gods on the box, such as the jackal and hawk, are likely associated with specific organs. For example, the jackal could represent Anubis, the god of embalming and the afterlife, while the hawk could represent Horus, the god of the sky and kingship. By preserving specific organs, the Egyptians believed that it would ensure the deceased's successful journey into the afterlife.
The practice of preserving organs and burying them with the deceased Pharaohs and important Egyptians was crucial in ensuring their bodies were complete for the journey to the afterlife. The Egyptians believed that after death, the soul would need the body to be intact in order to pass into the afterlife and be reunited with the soul. The Ushabtis, or "helpers," were also buried with them to serve as laborers in the afterlife, as the deceased would need assistance with various tasks in the next world.
Overall, the preservation of organs and the inclusion of Ushabtis in burials were essential elements of Egyptian funerary practices, reflecting their beliefs in the afterlife and the importance of being prepared for the journey beyond.