What mummified baboons say about globalisation
Ancient Egyptians worshipped primates imported from the Horn of Africa
THOTH HAD a broad bailiwick. He was the god of wisdom, writing and many strands of alchemy. Ancient Egyptians worshipped him alongside Ra, the sun god. So it is no wonder they had such great respect for the baboon, understood to be Thoth’s earthly manifestation in the pantheon of blessed beings.
This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline “Monkey business”
From the January 9th 2021 edition
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Syrian rebels sweep into Aleppo in an embarrassing rout for Bashar al-Assad
The Syrian dictator will not be able to count on help from Russia and Iran, his closest allies
America under Joe Biden plays the pragmatist in Africa
Donald Trump is likely to follow suit
New cures for Africa’s most gruesome diseases
Sleeping sickness, riverblindness and more could be tackled
Nigeria seeks to restore pride in its artefacts, ancient and modern
A new museum in Benin City will showcase “a cauldron of creativity”
The Lebanese-American businessman in Donald Trump’s inner circle
Can Massad Boulos influence the incoming administration in the region?
Israel and Hizbullah strike a fragile deal to end their war
Joe Biden makes a last push to bring peace to the Middle East