Collection Highlights: Antiquities

 

Hippopotamus

ANThippopotamus

Egyptian, coarse red pottery, L: 27.3 cm. Found in grave R134 at Hu, of Predynastic date (about 3500–3000 BC). AN1896-1908.E.3267.

Hippopotami abounded in prehistoric Egypt, to judge by the many models that have survived. Associated by the ancient Egyptians with the deity Taweret, protectress of babies and mothers in childbirth, today they inhabit the river no further north than Khartoum. Given by the Egypt Exploration Fund, 1899.

Egyptian PreDynastic (Gallery 23), Ground Floor

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