God of embalming, represented as a jackal or dog. Observation of
this animal, scavenging around the tombs on the west bank of the
Nile for prey, led the Egyptians to entrust him with the care of
the dead body, in an example of sympathetic magic, thus warding
off that danger. Anubis' job was to take ritual care of the
mummy, to destroy the enemies of Osiris during the vigil, and to
assist during the Opening of the Mouth ceremony before the
funeral. These tasks were actually carried out by priests.
Representations in tombs from the New Kingdom indicate that
masks depicting the head of Anubis were worn by the priests. One
of these masks has actually been found and is now in the
Pelizaeus-Museum in Hildesheim. In numerous texts from as early
as the Old Kingdom, Anubis is asked to ensure a good burial and
many offerings. In addition, according to the Pyramid Texts, the
god was responsible for counting the hearts, and together with
Thoth he was a member of the tribunal for the judgement of the
dead. He is depicted