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Northern Saqqara VII: Other Animal Burials
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Featured November 13 , 2006
Throughout the whole of Egyptian history, there had been animal cults, but in the Late and Greco-Roman periods this reached its peak. The burals of the Apis bull at Saqqara had gone on for quite some time, but there were also other bull cults: the Mnevis bull in Heliopolis and the Buchis bull in Armant. These were all from an early time and most likely associated with the sun cult. However, there were not only bulls buried at Saqqara.  Animal Galleries & Temple of Osiris/Apis & Isis The purpose of these mummified animals was to offer and thereby acquire the deities´benevolence. This probably provided a good income for the priesthood, from which pilgrims could buy a mummified animal. But there could also be pets buried for their own sake. Ibis, baboons and falcons have all their separate galleries in the northern part of Saqqara. Ibis birds have been found in large numbers, over ½million. They were associated with one aspect of Djehuty (Gr: Thoth). There was also amulets and statuesin the form of an ibis as further tokens for Djehuty. Perhaps, through the association between Djehuty and Imhotep, the architect of Djoser, (who became deified some two thousand years after his death. He was considered a deity of writing and, medicine), that offerings were made also to him, as a prayer for good health. The Ibis galleries In the tomb of Hor from Sebennytos at Saqqara were found 65 texts written on ostraca. These are called the "Dream Ostraca" and give insight in how the animal cult was handled during the time of Ptolemy VI. Also the dreams of Hor were inscribed and recorded on these ostraca. These galleries are unfortunately not open for visitors. Temples and Shrines Sources: The Complete Pyramids - Mark Lehner The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt - Aidan Dodson Chronicles of the Pharaohs - Peter A. Clayton Who´s Who in Ancient Egypt - Michael Rice Three very good links: Saqqara Online Egyptsites Touregypt |
Palace of the Empress of the Known Universe
~ Table of Contents ~
Early Claim
Thessalonike The Tragic Queen Icelandic History The Althingi Odin's lament A FATEFUL CHARIOT RACE: The STORY of PELOPS and OENOMAUS Mastabas in the Vicinity of Unas Pyramid Horemheb and His Contemporaries Pepi I and His Consorts Pepi II - an Unusually Long Reign The Unas Pyramid and Surroundings. The Last Royal Tombs of the Old Kingdom The Step Pyramid of Djoser, Saqqara Northern Saqqara - The Pyramids of Teti and Queens Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep - Royal Manicurists and Prophets of Re. Benu of Iunu - The Prototype Phoenix Northern Saqqara - The Mastaba of Mereruka, His Wife & Son Northern Saqqara - The Mastaba of Kagemni Northern Saqqara III: The Tomb of Ankhmahor Northern Saqqara IV: The Tomb of Akhethotep & Ptahotep Northern Saqqara V: The Mastaba of Ti Northern Saqqara VI: Early Dynastic & 3rd Dynastic Tombs Northern Saqqara VII: The Serapeum History of Devon Styles of Houses in Ancient Egypt I Styles of House in Ancient Egypt II Styles of Houses in Ancient Egypt III Aset Through History Places of Worship Aset in the Ancient Texts Lady of Philae, Lady of Abaton An Aretalogy of Aset Aset in Festival |
