Post by Tamrin on Oct 23, 2009 12:15:31 GMT 10
Could the Anubis masks worn by Egyptian embalming priests perhaps have served a practical use?
Looking at the bird costumes worn by some medieval plague doctors, we find the "beak" was packed with fragrant herbs to help mask the stench of death. Perhaps the prominent muzzle on the jackal masks worn by the Anubis priests served a similar function in the weeks of mummification, in a hot climate and using noxious chemicals.
Against this theory is the only example of such masks I have tracked down, not having the muzzle where the priest's nose would be (perhaps this one was purely ceremonial).
Looking at the bird costumes worn by some medieval plague doctors, we find the "beak" was packed with fragrant herbs to help mask the stench of death. Perhaps the prominent muzzle on the jackal masks worn by the Anubis priests served a similar function in the weeks of mummification, in a hot climate and using noxious chemicals.
Against this theory is the only example of such masks I have tracked down, not having the muzzle where the priest's nose would be (perhaps this one was purely ceremonial).
