An ibis head is a type of ancient Egyptian artifact made in the likeness of the ibis bird. Ibises were sacred birds in ancient Egypt, associated with the god Thoth. Ibis heads were common objects placed in Egyptian tombs as offerings to the gods.
What is an ibis?
The ibis is a long-legged wading bird with a distinctive curved beak. There are two main species of ibis found in ancient Egypt:
- The sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus) – This is the species most commonly depicted in ancient Egyptian art and artifacts. It has glossy black feathers with some iridescent green and purple.
- The hadada ibis (Bostrychia hagedash) – This ibis has a dark gray body and wings with a white underside. It has a distinctive patch of white feathers around its eyes.
Ibises forage for food like insects, small animals, and plants in the water and mud of marshes and riverbanks. They were associated with the god Thoth, who was depicted with an ibis head. Thoth was the god of wisdom, writing, magic, and the moon.
What were ibis head artifacts used for?
Ibis head artifacts were common grave goods placed in Egyptian tombs for several reasons:
- To provide food offerings to the gods – Egyptians believed that the ka or spirit of the deceased needed offerings of food and drink in the afterlife.
- As votive offerings to ask the gods for favors – Placing ibis heads asked the gods, especially Thoth, to offer protection.
- To honor Thoth and win his favor – Thoth was the god associated with judgment of the dead, so offerings to him were meant to curry favor.
- To signify reverence for ibises – Egyptians revered ibises as sacred animals, so ibis heads showed piety.
In addition to tombs, ibis heads and mummified ibises have been found at temples and shrines to Thoth across Egypt.
What were ibis head artifacts made of?
Ibis head artifacts found in ancient Egyptian sites were made from various materials:
- Faience (glazed ceramic) – Most common material for mass produced ibis heads placed in burials.
- Bronze – Used for high quality ibis heads dedicated as votive offerings at temples.
- Precious metals – Gold and silver ibis heads were rare but offered to the gods by royalty.
- Stone – Limestone, granite, schist and other stones were carved into ibis head statues.
- Pottery – Clay used to make simple ibis head shapes before firing.
- Wood – Rare material since it decays over time, but some wooden ibis heads have survived.
Faience was most common since it was easy to mass produce and glaze in bright blue to mimic the ibis’ feathers.
What did ibis head artifacts look like?
Ibis head artifacts took a few forms:
- Full shaped head – Made in careful detail to mimic an ibis head in 3D.
- Head only – Just the head was represented with long beak curving downwards.
- Flat plaque – Side profile carved in relief into a flat rectangular shape.
- Mummified ibis – Actual ibis remains wrapped into a mummy bundle.
Full shaped heads were the most common, carved of stone or molded from faience. Details included the eyes, beak, neck, and sometimes even the body perched on a pillar.
Examples of ibis heads in ancient Egyptian artifacts
Some examples of Egyptian artifacts featuring ibis heads include:
Name | Date | Material | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Bronze ibis | 664–332 BCE | Bronze | Solid cast bronze ibis with detailed feathers. |
Faience ibis plaque | 1070–712 BCE | Faience | Rectangular plaque with side profile of ibis head. |
Thoth statue | 305–30 BCE | Limestone | Limestone statue of Thoth with ibis head. |
Ibis mummy | c. 600 BCE | Linen, reeds, resin | Wrapped mummy of actual ibis remains. |
Significance of the ibis head in ancient Egypt
Ibis heads hold a special significance in ancient Egypt due to:
- Religious symbolism – They represented Thoth and were offered to gods.
- Reverence for ibises – Sacred animals elevated to divine status.
- Associations with afterlife – Placed in burials to assure rebirth.
- Wisdom and learning – Connected to Thoth as god of knowledge.
- Judgment and magic – Thoth oversaw judgment of souls and magic rituals.
Their widespread use shows how important ibises were in Egyptian theology, funerary practices, and devotion. Ibis head artifacts offer insight into ancient Egyptian spiritual beliefs centered around animals and the gods.
Conclusion
Ibis heads were an important ancient Egyptian artifact placed in tombs and temples to honor the gods, especially Thoth. The ibis was a sacred bird associated with wisdom, magic, and judgment in the afterlife. Ibis heads were most often shaped of faience or stone in the image of an ibis with a long curved beak. Their significance stems from Egyptian reverence for ibises combined with Thoth’s major role in rituals, judgment, and knowledge. Ibis heads help illustrate the ancient Egyptians’ complex cosmological beliefs about animals, gods, and the afterlife.