In the Likeness of a God: The Non-Invasive Investigation of Animal Votives
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Radiographic Method
2.2. Photogrammetric Method
3. Results
3.1. Radiographic Results
3.2. Photogrammetric Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Accession No. | Image (Not to Scale) | External Description |
---|---|---|
13861 | Fully wrapped bundle with no discernable areas of damage. The upper aspect is decorated with four geometric square lozenges completed with a striped section over the tail area. The head is covered in a darker brown linen and has two false eyes. Excellent condition with no loose linen wrappings evident. Dimensions 410 × 70 × 40 (mm) | |
6033 | Amorphous-shaped bundle wrapped in medium brown linen with a smaller ovoid-shaped bundle attached to the upper aspect. The bundle is wrapped in pale brown linen, with patches of a darker linen fixed to the surface. The museum number is written on the side in parentheses. Excellent condition. Dimensions 120 × 45 × 35 (mm). | |
1195 | Crudely carved wooden box with a removeable base. The upper aspect depicts a snake emblem in a ‘figure of eight’ shape. The wood is rough to touch and the base is loose with some debris having become separated from the main artefact. This artefact should not be excessively handled to avoid the further loss of contents. Dimensions 145 × 75 × 55 (mm). | |
6293 | Completely wrapped cylindrical bundle which narrows towards the modelled head. The front is adorned with a geometrically patterned panel. The modelled head displays two eyes and mouth created from a darker linen than the base colour from which the ears and muzzle are moulded. A small paper label is fixed to the front of the bundle, giving the museum no. 6293. Excellent condition. Dimensions 345 × 75 × 55 (mm). | |
11293 | Fully wrapped bundle in a tightly compressed anthropoid form with a false head and feet. The face and breast area are gilded and depict the facial features of a hawk. A linen shroud covers the back of the head and wraps around the front to leave a small gilded area visible. Excellent condition. Dimensions 360 × 100 × 60 (mm). | |
9303a-b | A substantial wooden artefact in the form of a seated cat constructed in four sections, joined together with wooden dowels. Some attempts to depict musculature and anatomic features (such as the tail, legs and face) are evident in the form of carved attributes and black lines. It appears that the surface may once have been painted or covered with a layer of a gesso-type material. Excellent condition. Dimensions 45 × 360 × 145 (mm), weight 4.45 kg. |
Accession No./Corresponding Figure | Provenance/Accession Information | Represented Species (Suggested by External Form) | Species (Radiographic Identification) |
---|---|---|---|
13861/5 | Naukratis. Robinow Collection, no.72 | Crocodile | Crocodylus niloticus (Nile crocodile) Partial skeleton |
6033/6 | Unknown. Donated by Mr. J. and A. Williams | Indeterminate | Shrew—complete and articulated |
1195/7 | Distributed from Egypt Exploration Society excavations at Hibeh | Sealed rectangular wooden coffinette with carved snake decoration | Snake (MNI > 1) |
6293/8 | Beni Hasan, 22nd Dynasty. Collected by Prof. Garstang, Liverpool Institute of Archaeology in Egypt (1910-11 or 1920 season) | Feline | Bundle containing an isolated vertebra of feline origin |
11293/9 | Acquired from the Robinow Collection, January 1959 | Falcon | Pseudo mummy constructed from organic matter |
9303a-b/10 | Excavated by Cecil Firth at the Sacred Animal Necropolis, North Saqqara | Sealed wooden coffinette resembling a seated feline | Feline–complete and articulated |
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McKnight, L. In the Likeness of a God: The Non-Invasive Investigation of Animal Votives. Heritage 2025, 8, 286. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070286
McKnight L. In the Likeness of a God: The Non-Invasive Investigation of Animal Votives. Heritage. 2025; 8(7):286. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070286
Chicago/Turabian StyleMcKnight, Lidija. 2025. "In the Likeness of a God: The Non-Invasive Investigation of Animal Votives" Heritage 8, no. 7: 286. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070286
APA StyleMcKnight, L. (2025). In the Likeness of a God: The Non-Invasive Investigation of Animal Votives. Heritage, 8(7), 286. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8070286