The Cult of Horus and Thoth: A Study of Egyptian Animal Cults in Theban Tombs 11, 12, and –399–

Animal cults have been a feature of ancient Egyptian religion since ca. 3000 BC, enjoying intermittent popularity until the fourth century AD and the Christian dominion of Egypt. Under the direction of José Galán, the Proyecto Djehuty team has been working in Dra Abul Naga, west of Luxor, in the area of the Eighteenth Dynasty tombs of TT 11, TT 12, and –399–. Parts of these tombs, subsequent to their initial use, became the site of an animal cult dedicated to the gods Horus and Thoth. This paper explores the nature of the cult, the types of animals interred, their acquisition and mummi- fication, and it speculates on their relationship to the different gods to whom the area was dedicated.