Heart amulets

Heart amulets, Dynasty 18–19 (ca. 1550–1186 B.C.)
Egyptian
Glass
Gift of Helen Miller Gould, 1910 (10.130.1782)

Heart amulets, Dynasty 19–20 (ca. 1295–1070 B.C.)
Egyptian
Agate
Gift of Helen Miller Gould, 1910 (10.130.1804)



For the ancient Egyptians, the heart (ib) was the source of intelligence, feelings, and actions. A person's memory was also housed in the heart and so at the judgment ceremony (Weighing of the Heart) in the afterlife, the heart was able to speak on behalf of the deceased, accounting to Osiris for a lifetime of deeds. Therefore, heart amulets were only used on the mummy to protect the owner's organ and to ensure that his heart gave a positive response at judgment.


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