Egyptian Late Period Mummified Young Baboon w/ x-Ray

Egypt, Late Dynastic to Ptolemaic period, ca. 664 to 30 BCE. A wondrous linen-wrapped mummified baboon that was of a young age when it was sacrificed. The body is tightly bundled so that the rough outline of the skull and tail are displayed, and the profile of the humerus and radius/ulna of one arm are visible. Mummified animals like this example were intended as offerings to certain deities for protection or blessings as the ancient Egyptians were known for breeding and capturing animals specifically for this purpose. Given the Egyptians belief that baboons held a higher intelligence than most creatures, they were regularly sacrificed to Thoth, the god of mathematics, reading, and other intellectual pursuits. However, since baboons were believed to house the souls of the dead, mummified baboons were also offered to Babi (also Baba), a baboon-form deity whom resides in the underworld. Size: 10.375" L x 2.5" W (26.4 cm x 6.4 cm)

According to Egyptologists Erik Hornung and Betsy M. Bryan, "As primeval animals, baboons and green monkeys were prominent parts of the Egyptian cosmogony. The earliest gods are sometimes depicted with baboon heads. The baboon became an aspect of the sun god, Re . . . And of the moon god, Thoth-Khonsu. Thoth (Djehuty in ancient Egyptian) was the god of writing and knowledge, who was depicted in the form of two animals: the baboon (Papio cynocephalus) and the sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus). In his baboon form Thoth was closely associated with the baboon god, Hedj-wer (the great white one) of the Early Dynastic period. By the end of the Old Kingdom (2686 - 2181 BCE) he was usually portrayed as an ibis-headed man, holding a scribal palette and pen or a notched palm leaf, performing some kind of act of recording or calculation." (Hornung, Erik and Betsy M. Bryan, eds. "The Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt." National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2002, p. 200)

For an example of a mummified adult baboon in an upright seated position, please see The British Museum, museum number EA35857.

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired at auction in 2002; ex-Ancient Resource, LLC auction, Los Angeles, California, USA

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#150208
Condition Report: Minor staining and desiccation to linen wrappings, with light fraying to some exterior linen layers, otherwise intact and excellent. Overall form still recognizable.