Collection
/
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

Crocodile Mummy

664–30 B.C.E.

1 of 3

Object Label

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.

Caption

Crocodile Mummy, 664–30 B.C.E.. Animal remains (Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus), linen, wood, 15/16 × 1 3/8 × 13 in. (2.4 × 3.5 × 33 cm) mount (display dims. SOULFUL CREATURES): 2 × 3 1/2 × 15 1/2 in. (5.1 × 8.9 × 39.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.2042.24E. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum (Gavin Ashworth, photographer))

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Crocodile Mummy

Date

664–30 B.C.E.

Dynasty

Dynasty 26, or later

Period

Late Period to Ptolemaic Period

Medium

Animal remains (Nile crocodile, Crocodylus niloticus), linen, wood

Classification

Remains, Animal

Dimensions

15/16 × 1 3/8 × 13 in. (2.4 × 3.5 × 33 cm) mount (display dims. SOULFUL CREATURES): 2 × 3 1/2 × 15 1/2 in. (5.1 × 8.9 × 39.4 cm)

Credit Line

Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

Accession Number

37.2042.24E

Frequent Art Questions

  • 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.

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bkmcollections@brooklynmuseum.org.