Ancient Egyptians Chose Animals Based on Their Moon-like Color

Topic: Biology

Researchers used a special instrument to measure the color of two animals that were sacred in ancient Egypt. They found that one animal's fur shone like the moon, which might explain why it was chosen as a symbol of the god Thoth.

The ancient Egyptian god of the moon had two very different faces: a crescent-beaked white bird and a silver-coated baboon. Researchers think they may have found the common thread connecting them all.

Using an instrument called a spectrometer, the researchers measured the color of the silvery fur of the sacred baboon (Papio hamadryas) and the white feathers of the sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus). They compared these colors to the light of the moon.

The researchers found that the sacred baboon's fur shone with light wavelengths almost identical to those of the moon. This was especially true for the males, whose white cheek tufts and long cape-like silver shoulders outshone every other monkey in ancient Egypt.

This discovery might explain why the Egyptians chose these two animals as symbols of their god Thoth. The researchers think that the Egyptians may have associated the moon with wisdom and knowledge, which is also a key aspect of the god Thoth.

The study provides one of the first feasible explanations for why the Hamadryas baboon is one of Thoth's totemic animals.

Why It Matters

This discovery helps us understand how ancient cultures chose symbols and animals to represent their gods. It also shows how important it was for the Egyptians to associate their god with the moon, which they saw as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge.

Key Facts

• The researchers used a spectrometer to measure the color of two sacred animals in ancient Egypt: the sacred baboon and the sacred ibis.
• They found that the sacred baboon's fur shone with light wavelengths almost identical to those of the moon.
• This discovery might explain why the Egyptians chose these two animals as symbols of their god Thoth.
• The study was published in Time and Mind, a scientific journal.
• The researchers were led by Nathaniel Dominy and Catherine Hobaiter from Dartmouth College and the University of St Andrews.

Key Terms

Spectrometer

A device that measures light and its properties.

Totemic animals

Animals that are considered sacred or symbolic in a particular culture or society.

Implications

This discovery helps us understand how ancient cultures chose symbols and animals to represent their gods. It also shows how important it was for the Egyptians to associate their god with the moon, which they saw as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge.