When Animals Were Gods: Exploring the Egyptian Pantheon at the Brooklyn Museum

From domestic pets to wild beasts, the ancient Egyptians held a deep respect for animals. Having keenly observed the specific qualities of each species in their environment the Egyptians often interpreted their strength, power, speed, and fertility, as evidence of an animal’s link to divinity, possessing qualities of the deity’s character. The complex, multifaceted nature of many animals represented a kind of divine diversity. This talk will explore the ancient Egyptian animal kingdom and its links to the pantheon of Egyptian gods. We will unravel the mysteries of Thoth, Sakhmet, Anubis and other deities and review the precursors to the exotic practice of animal mummification that occurred in the later periods of Egyptian history. The talk will serve as an in-depth introduction to the new exhibition: Soulful Creatures. Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt, opening at the museum Saturday, October 10.
This event is free with general admission. Go to https://berkshiremuseum.org/ to learn more or purchase tickets.