Hippopotamus amulet
Predynastic, Naqada I–early Naqada II
Not on view
Egyptologists understand this figurine to be an amulet, which was designed to be suspended by a cord passing through the holes above its back. This type of hippo figurine is distinctive for three reasons: they were made from pink limestone, created in pairs, and depicted as pregnant females. This last observation is evident by from the swollen belly that nearly touches the ground; most hippo statuettes do not display this feature.
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