The tombs of two egyptian nobles were discovered to have crocodile heads by Polish archaeologists working in the Theban Necropolis.
On the west bank of the Nile, across from Thebes (Luxor), in Upper Egypt, is a location known as the Theban Necropolis. For the majority of the Pharaonic era, notably in the New Kingdom, it was utilized for ritual burials.
Just west of the causeway that leads to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, at the Necropolis of el-Aassif, were archaeologists from the University of Warsaw’s Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology working on an excavation.
Since 2013, the team has been examining two tombs in the necropolis, one of which belonged to “Cheti,” a significant official during the reign of Pharaoh Nebhepetra Mentuhotep II (2055–2002 BC), and the other to a high-ranking official who worked in the royal court but went unnamed.
Archaeologists recently unearthed nine wrapped-in-fabric crocodile heads in both tombs. These heads had not been mummified or given any other special preservation methods.
The enormous crocodilian species Crocodylus niloticus, which is native to freshwater areas in Africa, is represented by the skulls. Only bits of skulls and mandibles remain, most likely as a result of earlier excavations conducted by Herbert Winlock of the Metropolitan Museum of Art a century ago. At the time, archaeologists paid little attention to animal remains and simply threw them in a pile.
Crocodiles were worshipped in the form of the god Sobek in ancient Egypt. Sobek is shown as either a real crocodilian or as a person with a crocodile head and is connected to the Nile crocodile or the West African crocodile.
Sobek was a protective deity with apotropaic attributes who was notably called for protection against the perils posed by the Nile. He was also connected to pharaonic power, fertility, and military ability.
SIZE MAYA STATUE – EXCAVATIONS UNCOVER HEADLESS LIFE
