Archaeologists from the Polish Center for Mediterranean Archeology at the University of Warsaw discovered nine
Bones found in burials. Images: PCMA UW, M. Jawornciki, U. Iwaszczuk
The finds come from two tombs.The first of the burials belongs to Chancellor Cheti, one of the most important officials of the time of Pharaoh Mentuhotep II, who ruled around 2050 BC. and was the founder of the Middle Kingdom. The second grave belongs to an unknown official, probably the vizier at the pharaoh's palace.
Instead of mummification, animal remains werewrapped in fabric and not subjected to any additional processing. The researchers note that this is the first discovery of these dangerous animals in burial sites. Until now, crocodile skulls have only been found in temples.
Statue of the god Sobek. Image: Graeme Churchard from Bristol (51.4414, -2.5242), UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In ancient Egypt, crocodiles were objectsworship and performed "magical" functions, scientists say. The ancient Egyptian god Sobek (or Sebek) was depicted as a crocodile or a man with a crocodile head and occupied a high hierarchy in the pantheon. Researchers believe that the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt believed that "the soul of the deceased, in whose grave crocodile heads were found, was protected by Sobek."
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