Notes on Saqqara Excavations and Egyptian Animal Cults

Wahti's Tomb Exploration

• Current Status: Since the tomb's discovery, excavation of the shafts is pending to fully document the story of Wahti and his family.
• Prioritization: Work inside the tomb is currently halted. The immediate focus is on investigating Wahti's life story through inscriptions on the tomb walls before the season ends.
• Recent Discoveries: A base of a statue has been found in the working area.
• Future Plans: The team is prepared to move quickly into the tomb once the initial investigation is complete, aiming to finish documenting Wahti's story.

The Bubasteion and Animal Cults in Saqqara

• Location: The Eastern Cliffs of Saqqara are known as a site of major animal cult centers.
• Prominent Cult Center: The Bubasteion is identified as one of the most important centers in this area.
• Expert: Silly Maykram, a funerary archaeologist and archaeozoologist, specializes in this field.

The Goddess Bastet (and Sekhmet)

• Identity: Bastet is the ancient Egyptian goddess of motherhood, beauty, and love.
• Iconography: She is typically depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat's head.
• Dual Nature: Like many Egyptian deities, Bastet possesses a calm and a formidable side:
  • Calm Aspect: She is a gentle