Name: THOTH, GOD OF WISDOM
Time: c. 2040 - 1782 BC , 11th - 12th Dynasty
Location: Egypt

For 3000 years the Egyptian god Thoth was revered as possessing all the "harmonies of life". The baboon, as the sacred animal of Thoth, took on deity status and Thoth himself often took the animal form. This figure, originally carved in palm wood, shows the baboon Thoth, a dignified, serene, and solemn god who brought knowledge and wisdom to mankind. While calling someone a "baboon" today is considered an insult, in the period of Thoth, offending a baboon could result in severe punishment; and killing the animal, even accidentally, meant instant death. Thoth was even embalmed and entombed with high ranking officials. Calling someone a baboon in Egyptian times was high praise!