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.
MEDIUM
Animal remains (Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus), linen, wood
DATES
664–30 B.C.E.
DYNASTY
Dynasty 26, or later
PERIOD
Late Period to Ptolemaic Period
DIMENSIONS
15/16 x 1 3/8 x 13 in. (2.4 x 3.5 x 33 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
37.2042.24E
CREDIT LINE
Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Crocodile Mummy, 664–30 B.C.E. Animal remains (Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus), linen, wood, 15/16 x 1 3/8 x 13 in. (2.4 x 3.5 x 33 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.2042.24E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum (Gavin Ashworth,er), 37.2042.24E_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 37.2042.24E_Gavin_Ashworth_photograph.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph (Gavin Ashworth, photographer), 2012
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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Who did the crocodile get offered to?
The god Sobek, who was associated with military power, and fertility. Most animals who live in the Nile are associated with fertility, because the river is the source of all life in Egypt.
Tell me more.
This juvenile crocodile was mummified in place of a fully grown animal because it was much safer to do so!
Wow!
Crocodiles, like most animals who live in the Nile River, were associated with fertility.
