In Ancient Egypt West African crocodile

ct scan of crocodile mother juveniles on back

the people of ancient egypt worshiped sobek, crocodile-god associated fertility, protection, , power of pharaoh. had ambivalent relationship sobek, did (and do) c. suchus; hunted crocodiles , reviled sobek, , saw him protector , source of pharaonic power. c. suchus known more docile nile crocodile , chosen ancient egyptians spiritual rites, including mummification. recent dna test found sampled mummified crocodiles grottes de thebes, grottes de samoun, , haute egypt belonged species.

bust of sobek, ancient egyptian crocodile god

sobek depicted crocodile, mummified crocodile, or man head of crocodile. center of worship in middle kingdom city of arsinoe in faiyum oasis (now al fayyum), known crocodilopolis greeks. major temple sobek in kom-ombo; other temples scattered across country.

historically, c. suchus inhabited nile river in lower egypt along nile crocodile. herodotus wrote ancient egyptian priests selective when picking crocodiles. priests aware of difference between 2 species, c. suchus being smaller , more docile, making easier catch , tame. herodotus indicated egyptians kept crocodiles pampered pets. in sobek s temple in arsinoe, crocodile kept in pool of temple, fed, covered jewelry, , worshipped. when crocodiles died, embalmed, mummified, placed in sarcophagi, , buried in sacred tomb. many mummified c. suchus specimens , crocodile eggs have been found in egyptian tombs.

spells used appease crocodiles in ancient egypt, , in modern times nubian fishermen stuff , mount crocodiles on doorsteps ward against evil.