Archaeologists uncover crocodile heads in tombs of ancient Egyptian nobles
Polish archaeologists have discovered nine crocodile skulls in the ancient tombs of wealthy nobles in Egypt.
The skeletal remains including skull fragments and loose teeth were uncovered by a team from the Polish Center of Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Warsaw working at the Theban Necropolis.
Dr Patryk Chudzik, head of the archaeological dig told the Polish Press Agency: "It is a unique discovery, because until now, crocodiles had been an unknown feature of burial tombs in Egypt.
Instead of mummification, the crocodile heads had been wrapped in cloths and not subjected to any additional treatments.
“Until now, the mummies of these dangerous animals had been found in temples.”
He added: “Our discoveries show that crocodile remains were an element of the furnishing of graves, and therefore had a magical meaning".
Instead of mummification, the crocodile heads had been wrapped in cloths and not subjected to any additional treatments.
Dr Patryk Chudzik, head of the archaeological dig told the Polish Press Agency:
The discoveries come from two tombs, the first being that of Chancellor Cheti, one of the most important officials from the time of pharaoh Mentuhotep II (2055-2022 BC) and the second, an anonymous tomb likely belonging to a vizier serving at the pharaoh's court.
The archaeologists have been researching the necropolis since 2013.
According to the researcher, the crocodile heads would likely have been thought to help the deceased in their journey into the afterlife.
In ancient Egypt, crocodiles were objects of worship and evidence of this is perhaps shown by the fact that the ancient Egyptian god Sobek was depicted as a crocodile or a human with a crocodile's head.
In ancient Egypt, crocodiles were objects of worship and evidence of this is perhaps shown by the fact that the ancient Egyptian god Sobek was depicted as a crocodile or a human with a crocodile's head.
Sobek gained a high rank in the pantheon thanks to Egyptian syncretism and he was sometimes called Sobek-Ra, thanks to which he also became a solar deity. Ra was one of the most important Egyptian gods.
However the animals also caused fear, because they liked to spend time on the sandbanks of the Nile and prey on their victims in the Nile's canals.
Dr. Chudzik said: ”The soul of the deceased, in whose tomb crocodile heads were found, was protected by Sobek and his joint form Sobek-Ra.”
Chudzik explained that ancient spells written in Pyramid and Sarcophagus texts show the belief that "the soul of the deceased, in whose tomb crocodile heads were found, was protected by Sobek and his joint form Sobek-Ra.
“It could then start to take on the form of a god, and take on his powers, which helped to protect it from dangers lurking in the afterlife.”
The remains were from young adult crocodile measuring around two-metres-long.
The discovery now opens the way for the exploration of the role of reptile remains in funerary ceremonies in ancient Egypt.
