© Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University. Photo by Peter Harholdt.

ClassificationsAncient Egyptian Art

Falcon Mummy

AAT Object Form/FunctionMummies (bodies)

Place CreatedEgypt, Africa

CultureEgyptian

PeriodLate Period

Date722-332 BCE

MediumLinen, animal remains

Credit LineCollection of Dr. J. Philips

Dimensions15 x 4 5/8 x 3 1/16 in. (38.1 x 11.7 x 7.7 cm)

Object number1958.063

Label TextThis falcon mummy is covered with an intricate pattern of wrappings done in natural and dyed brown linen. The details of the face and head of the bird have been rendered in paint over a white gesso ground.

The falcon was identified from the earliest times with the sun god Horus and the reigning king, who was his manifestation on earth. The raptor was also associated with a number of other gods, including Re-Horakhty, Sokar, Montu, and various regional forms of Horus. Deposits of falcon mummies have been found at Buto, Giza, Saqqara, Abydos, and Kom Ombo.

Many species of animals were mummified in later periods of Egyptian history. These were not pets, but sacred animals that were raised in temple precincts. The animals were sacrificed, mummified almost as elaborately as humans, and offered in the temples by pious pilgrims as a substitute for more expensive bronze votives. When a sufficient number had collected in the temple, the animal mummies would be buried by the priests in sacred animal cemeteries. Included were cats and dogs, ibises and falcons, and even fish, snakes and shrews.
Exhibition HistoryMCCM Permanent Collection Galleries, May 11, 1993 - Spring 2001
MCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, September 2001 - October 2011
Hall of Ancient Egypt, The Houston Museum of Natural Science, August 2014 - Present
Published ReferencesPeter Lacovara and Betsy Teasley Trope, The Realm of Osiris (Atlanta: Michael C. Carlos Museum 2001), 66.

ProvenancePurchased for Emory University Museum by Immanuel Ben-Dor (1901-1969) from Dr. J. Philips, New York, New York, December 5, 1958.

Status

Not on view

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