Anubis was the god of the dead and of embalming with the epithets 'lord of the hallowed land' i.e. the necropolis and 'he who is before the divine booth' in whcih mummification took place. He usually had canine form, although the species, whether dog or jackal, cannot be exactly identified. Anubis guarded the mummy from evil forces in the night. The image of a recumbent black jackal was included on the doors of numerous rock tombs, for he was the guardian god. When the body wsa embalmed a priest wearing a jackal mask acted as Anubis's representative. After the rise of the cult of Osiris, Anubis became subject to the new ruler of the dead. he then conducted the 'Weighing of the heart' in the Hall of Judgement before Osiris and the 42 gods.