A ritual of Calf 's foreleg amputation in Ancient Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Author

• Lecturer in the Department of History and Archaeology Faculty of Arts - Alexandria University,(Egypt)

Abstract


Abstract:
There is a general consensus among researchers that the wHm sign in hieroglyph does indeed represent an ox leg as was initially proposed by Alan Gardiner. However, this explanation raises several questions regarding the sign's true origin, as there is no archeological evidence pointing to scenes of an ox’s foreleg being amputated. In fact, no archeological source seems to reveal the role, use, or even appearance of an ox leg, which in turn necessitates that we re-examine the nature of this hieroglyphic sign, as it can reveal much about its intended purpose and meaning. To clarify, I would like to note the distinction between this foreleg and the famous ox thigh XpS present in scenes depicting funerals and everyday life in Ancient Egypt.
In order to identify which animal this leg was amputated from and what this implies, we must first return to those scenes depicting cattle and their treatment by Ancient Egyptians. Indeed, various archeological sources reveal a somewhat harsh funerary practice in which a live calf’s foreleg is amputated just above the knee, to then be used as part of a funerary rite at the time of burial. More specifically, it appears that by being presented with the calf’s foreleg, the deceased is then able to be reborn in the afterlife.
We knew that offering scenes and lists, doesn't contain any proofs to use a foreleg in their food, so that we can consider its existence in the passages of some private tombs, an important indication of its funerary role. This harsh ritual depicting in some tombs and funerary papyrus, the origin and indication of this ritual will be explain in the research

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References

 
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