Mummified snake

Collection Highlights | Updated 1 decade ago

A mummified snake wrapped in bandages
Mummified snake
Image copyright of WA Museum

Naja sp. Wrapped in a linen ‘mummy’ shroud. Animals were mummified for a variety of reasons: as food, pets, votive offerings, and sacred creatures. Serpent deities included: Meret-seger, Renenutet, Wadjyt and Nehebkaw. Worshippers may have made offerings to prevent snake-bite and other dangers. This example probably dates to after 1000 BC. It was purchased by the donor in Thebes on a voyage between England and Perth. Collector T.S. Henry, 1897.

Ancient Egyptian collection