Reflection on the remains of the past as a way of emphasising the transience of life was such a common theme in Old English literature that they had a special word for this motif: Dustsceawung, 'contemplation of the dust.'I blog history things. I am particularly interested in medieval, maritime, medical, and scientific history, as well as osteoarchaeology and palaeopathology. So you will probably see a lot of those topics here. My ask is always open for questions, suggestions, requests, or anything else you feel compelled to say.
Note: all images belong to me unless a source is listed. If material is incorrectly sourced or if you own the rights to material which you wish to be removed, please let me know.
Crocodile Mummy, from the Fayum region, Lower Egypt, Ptolemaic Period, c. 2nd century B.C.E.
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
The cult centres of the crocodile god, Sobek, were concentrated in the Fayum region and at Kom Ombo, in Upper Egypt, but Crocodile cults were widespread during the Graeco-Roman period. Although the careful wrapping of the crocodile’s muzzle originally led to the assumption that this mummy contained a single animal, x-rays of the package have revealed that it in fact contains three baby crocodiles.
-
thewoodwose likes this
-
liebechin likes this
-
gunhilde posted this
