In ancient Egypt, the practice of mummifying animals
became widespread in the first millenium B.C. Until the advent of
Christianity, visitors to temples could buy animal mummy bundles as
offerings to the gods. Wealthier pilgrims could also splurge on
elaborate coffins shaped as creatures to hold these mummies, which
ancient Egyptians probably believed represented the souls of the gods.
Along with the sale of animal mummies, the production of lavish bronze
and wooden coffins must have been an important source of revenue for
temples.
The coffins below illustrate the wide array of animal forms taken by
Egyptian gods. They will accompany 30 newly rediscovered animal mummies
in The Brooklyn Museum's traveling exhibit
Soulful Creatures:Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt. The exhibit's catalogue is available at gilesltd.com
(Courtesy The Brooklyn Museum)
This bronze coffin dating to between 664 and 30 B.C. held an ibis bundle, the most common type of animal mummy in ancient Egypt.
(Courtesy The Brooklyn Museum)
This
wooden coffin held a complete mummified cat, an animal that became
popular as a domestic pet in the first millennium B.C. and was
associated with the goddess Bastet.
(Courtesy The Brooklyn Museum)
A bronze coffin, possibly from the animal necropolis at Saqqara, Egypt, was dedicated to the falcon god Horus.
(Courtesy The Brooklyn Museum)
This
bronze cobra coffin with the head of a human wearing a crown represents
the god Atum, who was thought to have swum in primordial waters before
creating the world.
(Courtesy The Brooklyn Museum)
Baby crocodile mummies in wooden coffins like this were used by ancient Egyptians seeking the help of the crocodile god Sobek.
(Courtesy The Brooklyn Museum)
A
painted wooden coffin dating to between 664 B.C. and 332 B.C. depicts a
shrew, a nocturnal animal, which represented Kenty-irty, a god with the
ability see in darkness.
Link:
http://www.archaeology.org/exclusives/articles/1774-ancient-egypt-animal-mummies
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