By Jacqueline Engel
Hapi the scribe and the god Thoth his patron.
Pictured is a sandstone statue the Administrator of the Amun temple.
He is seated, reading from a papyrus roll.
New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty 1295 through 1186 BC.
The ancient Egyptians sanctified the Ibis bird and associated it with the moon, possibly because of the similarity of its curved beak with the lunar crescent.
The exquisite abilities of Ibis in locating earthworms had gained it a reputation of knowing hidden secrets.
It was thus appropriately seen as a symbol of Thoth, the Lord of wisdom and knowledge, the god of time and the moon.
He was also the patron of scribes, and the creator of letters and words.
Greco-Roman Period (332 BC-395 AD)
Tuna el-Gebel
Wood-bronze – Organic material
NMEC Cairo
LA CIVILTA' EGIZIA 