From cats to cows to crocodiles, ancient Egyptians worshipped many animal gods
Published 15 Mar 2021, 10:47 GMT
A bronze-headed statue depicts an ibis, the bird sacred to Thoth, god of wisdom. (fourth to first centuries B.C., Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Photograph by Akg, Album
The vulture goddess was considered the royal protector of Upper Egypt. This breastplate is from a tomb believed to be that of Akhenaten, who died in around 1336 B.C. Egyptian Museum, Cair
Photograph by Akg, Album
Represented here with the head of an ibis, the god of wisdom originated in the city of Khmunu in southern Egypt. The relief pictured here was produced for the tomb of Amenherkhepshef, son of Ramses III, who died in the 12th century B.C.
Photograph by Superstock, Album
The figurine of a sacred goose represents the god Amun (seventh to sixth centuries B.C., Louvre Museum, Paris).
Photograph by Akg, Album
