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Don’t miss the Crocodile Mummy Museum in Kom Ombo, Egypt! It is located next to the Temple of Kom Ombo. I loved it! It is full of the coolest things to see including a large number of crocodile mummies of different ages and sizes, mummified crocodile eggs, and fascinating pilgrims’ offerings. Plus, you will learn all about the crocodile god Sobek – god of the Nile and creator of the world.
The Sobek Cemetery
The Crocodile Mummy Museum in Kom Ombo has an incredible display of crocodile mummies.
The crocodile mummies come from the necropolis near the small village of El-Shatb, about 2 km south of the Temple of Kom Ombo.
The necropolis was used from the Middle Kingdom through the Greco-Roman period for human burials, however, it contained a large number of animal mummies, among them crocodiles.
Crocodile mummies / Why You Should Visit Crocodile Mummy Museum in Kom Ombo
Crocodile Mummy Museum
Crocodile mummies / Why You Should Visit Crocodile Mummy Museum in Kom Ombo
Crocodile Mummy Museum
The Crocodile God Sobek - God of the Nile and Creator of the World
The ancient Egyptians believed that the gods sent physical manifestations of themselves to earth in the form of symbolic animals.
The god Sobek was depicted as a crocodile, or a man with the head of a crocodile. He usually wore a plumed headdress adorned with the sun disk and two horns. Here is a relief from the Temple of Kom Ombo depicting Sobek.
Relief from the Temple of Kom Ombo depicting Sobek / Why You Should Visit Crocodile Mummy Museum in Kom Ombo
Crocodile Mummy Museum
There are many myths that mention Sobek as the creator of the world.
Moreover, he was regarded as a fertility god since, as some myths claim, he formed the River Nile from his sweat ensuring the fertility of the land. Sobek was considered to be the patron of the army as well.
Additionally, Sobek was regarded as a symbol of the Pharaoh’s power and the protector of the rulers. He was thought to give strength to the Pharaoh in times of need.
Pharaoh Amenhotep III felt a special bond with Sobek and chose to be depicted with that god in particular. There is a sculpture depicting Sobek with Amenhotep III at the museum.
Sculpture of Sobek with Amenhotep III / Why You Should Visit the Crocodile Mummy Museum in Kom Ombo
Crocodile Mummy Museum
In addition, there is a beautiful votive dating back to the reign of Amenhotep III at the museum. It shows a pair of crocodiles on the base of the block decorated on all sides.
Votive dating back to the reign of Amenhotep III / Why You Should Visit the Crocodile Mummy Museum in Kom Ombo
Votive dating back to the reign of Amenhotep III / Why You Should Visit the Crocodile Mummy Museum in Kom Ombo
- The average size of the Nile crocodile ranges between 10-20 feet in length. The weight could be anywhere between 300 to 1,650 pounds.
- In the wild, the Nile crocodiles have the potential to live between 70 to 100 years of age.
- The females usually lay between 25 to 80 eggs. Interestingly, the sex of the offspring is determined by the surrounding temperature. When the temperatures are low, the hatchlings are all females, when the temperatures are high between 89 to 94 F, then the offspring will be males.
The Crocodile Mummies at the Museum
Live crocodiles were worshiped and cared for by the priests. After their death, it was believed that the soul of the god moved to the body of another crocodile. The dead crocodile would be mummified.
Notably, the crocodile body was desiccated with natron and then wrapped in linen bandages saturated with resins and oils.
Crocodile Mummies / Why You Should Visit the Crocodile Mummy Museum in Kom Ombo
Crocodile Mummy Museum
At the Crocodile Mummy museum, you will be able to see a mummified crocodile placed on a bier. In addition, you will be able to see several ceramic coffins, which protected the mummies.
Crocodile Mummies / Why You Should Visit the Crocodile Mummy Museum in Kom Ombo
Crocodile Mummy Museum
The Offerings of the Pilgrims
Pilgrims who came to the Temple of Kom Ombo to worship Sobek brought votive offerings. They ranged from small mummified crocodiles, and stelae, to statues.
Pilgrims offerings / Why You Should Visit the Crocodile Mummy Museum in Kom Ombo
Pilgrims offerings / Why You Should Visit the Crocodile Mummy Museum in Kom Ombo
The Crocodile Mummy Museum has a large number of stelae on display. Some of them are carved with the images of the god Sobek. Some provide the name of the dedicator.
The Crocodile Mummy Museum has a large number of stelae on display / Why You Should Visit Crocodile Mummy Museum in Kom Ombo
Stelae on display at the Crocodile Mummy Museum / Why You Should Visit Crocodile Mummy Museum
Another popular votive offering to the god Sobek was crocodile eggs and fetuses.
Mummified crocodile eggs and fetuses / Why You Should Visit the Crocodile Mummy Museum in Kom Ombo
Crocodile Mummy Museum
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