ancient egypt: history and culture
Ancient Egyptian bestiary: Vultures
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Vultures

Source: Excerpt, 'Ancient Egypt', Time-Life Books
Griffon
Source: Excerpt, 'Ancient Egypt' by Lionel Casson, Time-Life Books
Source: 'Ancient Egypt', Time-Life Books
Egyptian vulture
Source: Excerpt, 'Ancient Egypt' by Lionel Casson, Time-Life Books
    The Egyptian vulture nests in Egypt, flying south in the winter. The lammergeier (gypaetus barbatus) and the griffon (gyps vulvus) can be found in Egypt all year round. Rüppell's vulture (gyps rüppellii) lives in the south of the country. The Black Vulture (aegypius monachus) spends the winters.
 
    Nekhebet portrayed as a griffon vulture was the protectress of Upper Egypt, often shown with spread-out wings protecting the pharaoh. The vulture head was sometimes added to the uraeus snake of Lower Egypt, symbols for the unity of the country.
    Mut too was symbolized among other things by the vulture, as were occasionally Isis and Hathor, all female deities. At Thebes, Mut's cult centre, vultures were mummified.
 
 
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