“A Crocodile Spirit, Crocodile-Faced”: Discovery of Crocodile Remains in the Early Middle Kingdom Tombs of the North Asasif Necropolis in Western Thebes (Egypt)

A recent discovery of Nile crocodile remains in the mortuary complexes of two high-ranking courtiers from the early Middle Kingdom in Western Thebes, Egypt, sheds light on the symbolic significance of reptiles in funerary contexts. The skeletal fragments—including skulls, mandibles, teeth, and osteoderms—were found in non-mummified form, suggesting a deliberate association with the crocodile god Sobek. Sobek, linked to pharaonic power, fertility, and the sun-god Ra, played a pivotal role in ancient Egyptian cosmology, symbolizing rebirth and the sun's eternal journey. This finding offers new insights into how reptiles were integrated into burial practices during this period, reflecting broader religious and mythological beliefs.

Chudzik, P., & Iwaszczuk, U. (2022). “A Crocodile Spirit, Crocodile-Faced”: Discovery of Crocodile Remains in the Early Middle Kingdom Tombs of the North Asasif Necropolis in Western Thebes (Egypt). Journal of African Archaeology, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1163/21915784-bja10016