Crocodile Mummy, 305–30 B.C.E. Animal remains (Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus), linen, 1 3/8 x 3/4 x 12 in. (3.5 x 1.9 x 30.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1365E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.1365E_view2_PS2.jpg)
Crocodile Mummy, 305–30 B.C.E. Animal remains (Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus), linen, 1 3/8 x 3/4 x 12 in. (3.5 x 1.9 x 30.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1365E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.1365E_view1_PS2.jpg)
Crocodile Mummy
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
The Egyptians offered crocodile mummies to the god Sobek to request his help with life’s daily problems. Juvenile crocodiles were used in this practice because the full-grown adults were so dangerous.
The ancient Greek historian Herodotus devoted two chapters of his history of Egypt to crocodile worship. For the Greeks, this was an especially exotic element of Egyptian religion.
The ancient Greek historian Herodotus devoted two chapters of his history of Egypt to crocodile worship. For the Greeks, this was an especially exotic element of Egyptian religion.
MEDIUM
Animal remains (Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus), linen
DATES
305–30 B.C.E.
PERIOD
Ptolemaic Period, or later
DIMENSIONS
1 3/8 x 3/4 x 12 in. (3.5 x 1.9 x 30.5 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
ACCESSION NUMBER
37.1365E
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
The object is a small mummified Nile crocodile wrapped in linens. There is no coffin associated with the body. The beige, linen wrappings, which seem to be bands of linen as opposed to sheets, are disorderly.
This animal is likely a Nile crocodile (crocodiles niloticus) since this is the only species of crocodile found in Egypt today. Its tiny size suggests that it is a juvenile. The fact that the crocodile was young when it was mummified suggests that it is a votive mummy. This type of mummy was given as a votive offering at shrines of specific gods, in this case Sobek.
Condition: The object is in fair and moderately stable condition.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Crocodile Mummy, 305–30 B.C.E. Animal remains (Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus), linen, 1 3/8 x 3/4 x 12 in. (3.5 x 1.9 x 30.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1365E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.1365E_view2_PS2.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 37.1365E_view2_PS2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2008
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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