Animal Mummies and Remains from the Necropolis of Elkab (Upper Egypt)

Abstract

Animal remains and trace fossils from rock tombs and the surface of the necropolis at Elkab, and from the subterranean structures of the mastaba on top of the necropolis are analysed. They prove that the tombs were reused as depositories for animal mummies, especially large vultures and crocodiles, respectively associated with Nekhbet, the tutelary goddess of Upper Egypt, and Sobek. The use of the necropolis as an animal cemetery is dated to the Greco-Roman period on contextual evidence. In the mastaba, other animal mummies were identified and radiocarbon dated to the New Kingdom or early Third Intermediate Period. A taphonomic scenaro tries to explain these early mummies, mainly smaller predatory birds and cats, as well as finds of human skeletons in the mastaba and dating from the same general period. Other finds, mainly in the mastaba, are intrusive insect, microvertebrates and ichnofossils. Some victual mummies, grave goods and articles of adornment are other find categories in the necropolis and the mastaba.