Falcon Shrine of the Blemmyes (2022)
The Falcon Shrine is evidence that the Blemmyes, a 4th to 6th century CE band of nomads roaming North Africa, borrowed Egyptian traditions and incorporated them into their own religious practices. The temple features artifacts including a harpoon, statues, and (probably for religious reasons) fifteen headless falcons and some eggs. Falcons were associated with ancient Egyptian religious purposes in other parts of the Nile River valley. But they are rarely found in groups of this magnitude. It also contains a stele with inscriptions discussing the religious practices of the temple. One inscription was very specific about good manners in the temple. It reads: “It is improper to boil a head in here.” Apparently, boiling animal heads was considered disrespectful. Noted.