The Catacombs of Anubis at North Saqqara: A Subterranean World of Canids

Paul T. Nicholson explores the labyrinthine burial site for millions of dog mummies.

- Paul T. Nicholson

Today the site of Saqqara is perhaps best known for two monuments: the Third Dynasty Step Pyramid of Djoser (c. 2667-2648 BC) and the Serapeum, burial place of the Apis bulls. It was the discovery of the Serapeum in 1851 by Auguste Mariette (1821-1881) which really brought Egyptology and Saqqara into the consciousness of the public (see map, opposite).

The Apis bull is known to have been interred at Saqqara from the First Dynasty onwards, although the Serapeum we currently know begins only in the New Kingdom. However, the Apis was only the first of many sacred animals which came to be interred at Saqqara. There is in fact a connection between the animals, the Step Pyramid and the rediscovery of the sacred animal cults of Saqqara.

Djoser, Imhotep and Professor Emery

The connection between the animal cults and the Step Pyramid comes via Imhotep, chief advisor to Djoser and the architect of the Step Pyramid. His titles, as given on a statue base, describe him as “The Chancellor of the King of Lower Egypt, the first after the King of Upper Egypt, Administrator of the Great Palace, hereditary lord, Greatest of Seers, Imhotep, the builder, the sculptor, the maker of stone vases.” Clearly this individual was ofgreat prominence in Djoser’s court and the construction of the Step Pyramid sealed his reputation, not only in his time but well beyond it.

Imhotep came to be regarded as the inventor of stone building and as a wise individual. As a result, over time, he became associated with Thoth, god of wisdom, writing and learning, and with Ptah, creator god of Memphis and patron of craftsmen. Imhotep had become a demi-god. The Apis was the living image (ba) of Ptah, whilst Thoth was represented by the ibis and the baboon, making a clear connection between animal cults and the deified Imhotep.