Bat+(mammal)

The Bat in Ancient Egypt


 * Egyptian Name:**

//Saxm'w// or //Zedjakhem// (fruit-eating bat)

//D'gjj// or //Daqi// (insect-eating bat)


 * Hieroglyphics:**

(fruit-eating bat)

(insect-eating bat)

Many species of bats lived in ancient Egypt, both insectivores and fruit eating, such as the Egyptian Slit-faced Bat, Desert Long-eared Bat, Egyptian Fruit Bat, Egyptian Tomb Bat, Geoffroy's Horseshoe Bat, Egyptian Pipistrelle, and the Greater and Lesser Mouse-tailed Bats. It is surprising to find them so rarely depicted or mentioned in ancient writings or images - in fact, the //only// ancient Egyptian images of bats that have been found are wall pictures at Beni Hassan.

Bats in ancient Egypt were common and lived throughout the area, including the Nile valley, Delta, eastern desert, and in oases. They roosted within caves, houses, tombs, temples, and the Pyramids. 19th century travelers to Egypt often reported on the presence of large bat colonies in deserted ancient buildings.

Because they could fly, the ancient Egyptians classified the bat as a type of bird. Skeletons of bats have been found inside the mummy case of an owl - both the bat and the owl, being nocturnal and able to fly, symbolically offered the deceased the ability to fly through the darkness of the //Duat//. Amulets of bats were worn to ward off evil spirits.

Other Animals of Ancient Egypt