The ancient Egyptian civilization still overlooks us every day

In a new study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, scientists from the Belgian Royal Institute of Natural Sciences and the Spanish University of Khaine revealed new secrets about the techniques and rituals of mummification in ancient Egypt

Scientists examined 10 mummies of crocodiles mummified in a unique way, before they were discovered at an archaeological site located in Mount qubet al-Hawa, which overlooks the West Bank of the Nile near Aswan in southern Egypt.

Several hundred mummified crocodiles are available in museum collections around the world, but they often do not receive careful examinations.

In this study, the authors presented a detailed analysis of mummified crocodiles, unveiling exciting details.

Pia de Cooper, who led the study, a researcher at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, says that crocodiles were found in a grave that was not tampered with by robbers and gravediggers, the finds include 5 large crocodiles, their bodies are more or less complete, as well as five skulls.

De Cooper adds, There was no evidence of any special preparation technique for mummies: there are no indications for resection of the intestine and there is no trace of the use of resin or bitumen (a chemical that is usually used for waterproofing).

Normally, the process of mummification of animals in ancient Egypt was carried out by extracting the mummified entrails, and disposing of them after removing them from the animal's body, and also used "resins" and extracts of aromatic plants, the two main antibacterial components that preserved the soft tissues of mummies, and thus protect the mummy from damage and decomposition.

Unlike the traditional method, de Cooper explains the unique embalming process, and says: "it is assumed that the embalming process took place elsewhere, as the process of drying the bodies of crocodiles took place naturally, by placing them on the surface or burying them in a sandy environment. Then she was wrapped in linen and mats made of palm leaves and taken to the grave, where her last resting place was.

She draws attention to the fact that during the mummification process, some crocodiles were damaged, while others were preserved in good condition. In the case of the five isolated skulls, the heads were removed when the crocodiles had already dried up.

Bandages and mats made of linen were not kept in the tomb, which allowed scientists to study and measure the bones, and the lengths of crocodiles range from 1.8 to 3.5 meters.according to the researchers, it seems that they found two types of crocodiles: the Nile crocodile and the West African crocodile, which is no longer found in Egypt.

Based on the archaeological context in which the Tomb of the crocodiles was found and the fact that bitumen was not used during the mummification process, it is assumed that the mummies of crocodiles date back to the pre-Ptolemaic Period, about 300 Years BC, says De Cooper

The researchers expect to improve the results of this study by analyzing the DNA of crocodile mummies and using radiocarbon dating technology to determine the exact time period to which these crocodiles belong.

The crocodile in the conscience of the ancient Egyptians was associated with the Nile River, embodied in the image of the god Sobek, who was personified in the form of a crocodile or in the form of a human with a crocodile head, was associated with royal power, fertility and military prowess.

He was also considered a protective god against dangers with evil-repellent qualities, which were especially associated with the dangers posed by the Nile with its flooding, and Pia DiCaprio considers that their study confirms that the cult of Sobek was also widespread in this region in southern Egypt, as the center of the cult of Sobek was mainly located in the Fayoum region, located at a distance (about 770 kilometers) north of Aswan.

For his part, Alejandro Jimenez Serrano, a researcher involved in this study from the Spanish University of Juan, says: although the crocodile embodied the spirit of the God Subic, it was sacrificed to be an intermediary between humans and this God. Therefore, there is no problem with killing a sacred animal, if its mummification allows to connect the human world with the gods".

Serrano adds that the absence of traditional patterns in the science of embalming indicates the existence of different embalming techniques that were used in the past, and perhaps embalming places also appear different from the traditional places where the embalming process was carried out.