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The Catacombs of Anubis at North Saqqara

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2015

Paul T. Nicholson ,
Salima Ikram  and
Steve Mills
Paul T. Nicholson
Affiliation:
School of History, Archaeology & Religion, Cardiff University, John Percival Building, Colum Drive, Cardiff CF10 3EU, UK (Email: nicholsonpt@cardiff.ac.uk)
Salima Ikram
Affiliation:
American University in Cairo, P.O. Box 74, Road 90, Tagammu 5, New Cairo, 11825, Egypt
Steve Mills
Affiliation:
School of History, Archaeology & Religion, Cardiff University, John Percival Building, Colum Drive, Cardiff CF10 3EU, UK (Email: nicholsonpt@cardiff.ac.uk)
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Abstract

Although animal cults are a widely recognised feature of religion in ancient Egypt, little is known about the nature of the catacombs and mummies associated with the temples dedicated to animal gods. Here the authors present a biography of the Catacombs of Anubis at North Saqqara in Egypt, from their peak activity in the Late Period to their exploitation in modern times for raw materials. This research highlights the hitherto unappreciated scale of burial practices associated with animal cults, and the industries they supported and were supported by. The evidence suggests that the animal cults played a significant economic role, both in ancient Egypt and in subsequent eras.

Keywords

EgyptSaqqaracatacombsmummificationdogscanids
Type
Research
Information
Antiquity , Volume 89 , Issue 345 , June 2015 , pp. 645 - 661
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2015 

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