Material: Plastered and painted wood
Date: Ptolemaic Period, 332-30 B.C.
Dimensions: H. 42.3 cm
Findspot: Egypt, unknown
Current Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 38.5
Anubis is the Greek form of the name of the Egyptian god Inpw. The name has been interpreted differently as “child, young animal, little dog” or as “canid, canid god”.
Beside the male Jnpw “Anubis” exists a less frequently attested female form: Jnpw.t. Jnpw.t is a goddess of protection. She plays a role in the Mysteries of Osiris and appears as the form of Isis when exercising revenge at Seth, the murderer of her brother and husband Osiris.
Anubis is the protector of the necropolises. This connection to the cemeteries is related to the fact that jackals and wild dogs often roamed the area of the tombs in search of food. Here food was offered as sacrifices to the dead. The animals’ interest in the burials was interpreted as care for the deceased.
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