Anubis was the Egyptian deity of cemeteries and embalming as well as the protector of graves. Depicted with the black head of a jackal, Anubis helped mummify Egyptians when they died. Jackals were associated with death, because they lurked around cemeteries and would eat decomposing flesh. Therefore, by making Anubis the patron deity of jackals, the Egyptians hoped to protect the bodies from being devoured.