Mummy of a Crocodile

The Nile crocodile (Crocodilus niloticus) was the sacred animal of the god Sobek in ancient Egypt. Sobek was closely associated with the wetlands of the Nile Valley, crocodiles aroused fear and at the same time respect in the ancient Egyptians. The god Sobek was considered as the bringer of the flood that fertilises the lands, the guarantor of abundance. Sobek became a creator god during the New Kingdom, and was identified with Re. In the Ptolemaic Period, he was already considered a universal deity and was identified with a variety of deities. As compared to other sacred animals, the mummification of crocodiles started relatively late, in the Thirtieth Dynasty (4th century BC) and lasted until the Roman Period, the first–second century AD. During the Greco-Roman Period, Sukheions were established in several parts of the country (Sobek’s Greek name is Sukhos), in Krokodeilonpolis in the Fayyum oasis, in Tihna el-Gebel, in the Theban region, and in Kom Ombo. Several ancient travellers (Herodotus, Strabo) also witnessed the handling of temple crocodiles, which were honoured as divine beings. In addition to adult specimens, mummified young crocodiles and crocodile eggs were also found in the crocodile cemeteries.