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Unknown (Egyptian)
Ibis
26th Dynasty (664-525 BCE)
bronze
6 7/8 x 8 11/16 in. (17.5 x 22 cm)
Gift of Sir Henry Rawlinson through Dwight W. Marsh, Class of 1842,
by exchange
41.5.7
 
bACKGROUND INFORMATION

Ibis
26th Dynasty (664-525 BCE)

Ibises are long-legged wading birds with long, downward-curving bills, which are used to probe the mud for food. Ibises were venerated as sacred animals in ancient Egypt. The ibis was associated with the lunar god Thoth, who was believed to have invented the art of writing, thus making him the patron saint of scribes.

Ibises were sold to pilgrims as votive offerings to Thoth and were mummified when they died. Thousands of mummified ibises were excavated at Saqqara, which indicates the popularity of Thoth.

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