Crocodile mummies, estimated to be about 2,500 years old, discovered at Qubbat al-Hawā, a tomb on the Nile’s west bank. Photo Credit
Crocodile mummies, estimated to be about 2,500 years old, discovered at Qubbat al-Hawā, a tomb on the Nile’s west bank. Photo Credit: Patricia Mora Riudavets. In the ancient Egyptian civilization, the practice of mummification wasn't only reserved for human beings but also extended to animals, and crocodiles were one such species. Crocodile mummification and the associated cult worship were deeply rooted in religious beliefs and practices of ancient Egyptians. Crocodiles held immense symbolic significance in ancient Egypt because of the deity Sobek. Sobek, often represented as a man with a crocodile head or a full-bodied crocodile, was a powerful god associated with military prowess, fertility, and the Nile’s life-giving properties. His ambiguity in nature—both feared for his predatory power and revered as a protector—led to a complex relationship between the Egyptians and crocodiles. Sacred to Sobek, crocodiles were bred, cherished, and mummified as part of a thriving...