This catalogue documents an exhibition at the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology on the mysterious ancient Egyptian jackal-headed gods associated with death and the afterlife. These gods are immediately identifiable symbols of ancient Egypt, but their specific identities and roles are often less well known. Death Dogs is the first exhibition to examine their mysteries.

The exhibition and catalogue focus on the three most important jackal gods: Anubis (embalmer and guide to the dead), Wepwawet (opener of the ways to the afterlife) and Duamutef (son of Horus, protector of the canopic jar). Jackal gods are represented by a variety of artifacts in the Kelsey Museum collectionstatues, paintings, amulets and other objects. These artifacts are used to examine the jackal gods and their functions in the wider context of ancient Egyptian religion and follow their changing roles into the Graeco-Roman period and beyond.

The catalogue features 44 artifacts from the exhibition, some never before exhibited or published, many from University of Michigan excavations in Egypt, along with supplementary artifacts, archival photographs, vintage book illustrations and explanatory graphics. Modern pop cultural manifestations of the Egyptian jackal gods are included to document their persistence into the present.

Includes 181 colour illustrations.

About the Author

T. G. Wilfong is Curator for Graeco-Roman Egypt at the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology and Professor of Egyptology in the Department of Near Eastern Studies, University of Michigan. He has curated several exhibitions and has lectured and published widely on a range of topics relating to ancient Egypt. His most recent book is Life, Death, and Afterlife in Ancient Egypt: The Djehutymose Coffin in the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology (2013). He is currently preparing a Kelsey Museum exhibition on ancient Egyptian jackal gods and working on his next book, Egyptian Anxieties.

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Book Information
ISBN 9780990662310
Author T. G. Wilfong
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
Publisher Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
Weight(grams) 334g