Which organ was left inside the body during mummification?

The story behind the answer

Heart is correct. Ancient Egyptians believed the heart was the seat of thought, emotion, and memory—essential for the afterlife. It had to remain in the body so Anubis could weigh it against the feather of Ma’at; a heart lighter or equal to the feather meant a righteous life. By contrast, embalmers removed the brain (often discarded after extraction through the nose) to slow decay.

Other key organs were preserved separately in canopic jars: liver (Imsety), lungs (Hapi), stomach (Duamutef), and intestines (Qebehsenuef). Memory tip: “Keep the heart for judgment; jar the rest.” This highlights both the symbolic role of the heart and the practical steps of mummification.