You won’t believe the unexpected discovery that’s been unraveling an ancient mystery! Imagine stumbling upon a hidden tomb filled with mummified crocodiles—yes, you read that right! 😲
These animals were preserved differently from most mummified crocodiles.
Patri Mora Riudavets under CC-BY 4.0
In 2019, archaeologists from Belgium and Spain were working at the Qubbet el Hawa necropolis, just across the Nile from Aswan in southern Egypt, when they unearthed a surprising find. They uncovered a total of 10 mummified crocodiles, including five nearly complete skeletons and five heads! While crocodiles have been discovered in Egyptian tombs before, finding this many is extremely rare.
What’s even more fascinating is the unusual way these reptiles were mummified. 🧐 Instead of the usual resin used in mummification, the crocodiles had no signs of it. It seems that these ancient creatures were naturally preserved in the desert heat—laid out in sandpits where the dry air worked its magic.
They may have been naturally mummified in sand pits elsewhere before being relocated to Qubbat al-Hawā around the 5th century B.C.E.
Patri Mora Riudavets under CC-BY 4.0
But that’s not all! The crocodiles weren’t just buried for show. Egyptians believed these powerful creatures were intermediaries to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of water and fertility, who was central to life along the Nile. 🌊🌾
The crocodiles discovered at Qubbet el Hawa belong to two species: the Nile crocodile and the West African crocodile, with lengths ranging from 6 feet to 11.5 feet. The team didn’t find any signs of injury, but traces of rope suggest these crocodiles met their end in a rather grim way—tied up and left to die from dehydration in the intense sun. 🌞
These crocodiles, believed to have been hunted around the 5th century B.C., were likely part of a larger ritual offering to Sobek. While there were no organs removed as in typical mummification, these ancient reptiles were preserved in a way that tells us a lot about their cultural and religious significance in ancient Egypt.
Dorsal view of crocodile number five.
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Can you imagine what it must have been like living among these fierce creatures, revered and feared by the ancient Egyptians? 🤯 The mystery of these mummified crocodiles is still being pieced together, but one thing’s for sure—they were more than just animals; they were sacred beings in the eyes of the Egyptians.
So, the next time you think of crocodiles, remember: these creatures once played a vital role in ancient Egyptian culture, bridging the world of humans and the gods
Cr : nationalgeographic , smithsonianmag
