Ancient Egyptians mummified thousands of crocodiles at Kom Ombo. Modern DNA has finally revealed where the sacred reptiles came from
- Image: Inside EgyptFor more than 2,000 years, the Temple of Kom Ombo on the banks of the Nile stood as one of ancient Egypt's most important centres of crocodile worship.
- Dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god associated with the Nile, fertility and royal power, the temple attracted pilgrims who offered mummified crocodiles as sacred votive gifts.
- Archaeologists have uncovered hundreds of crocodile mummies ranging from hatchlings to enormous adults, raising a long-standing question: were these animals specially bred for ritual purposes or captured from the wild?
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- Image: Inside EgyptFor more than 2,000 years, the Temple of Kom Ombo on the banks of the Nile stood as one of ancient Egypt's most important centres of crocodile worship.
- Dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god associated with the Nile, fertility and royal power, the temple attracted pilgrims who offered mummified crocodiles as sacred votive gifts.
- Archaeologists have uncovered hundreds of crocodile mummies ranging from hatchlings to enormous adults, raising a long-standing question: were these animals specially bred for ritual purposes or captured from the wild?
Sources: Times of India