In the Old Kingdom baboons, due to their intelligence, were closely associated with Thoth, one of the most important Egyptian deities, god of thought, intelligence, and writing. As sacred animal of Thoth, baboons were often depicted supervising scribes during their work. Baboons had also various funerary roles. They were custodians of the first door to the underworld. The Egyptians wore amulets alongside other pieces of jewellery. They were decorative, but also served a practical purpose, being considered to bestow power and protection upon the wearer. Many of the amulets have been found inside the wrappings of mummies, as they were used to prepare the deceased for the afterlife. Amulets held different meanings, depending on their type or form. Small amulets depicting gods and goddesses seem to have induced the protective powers of the deity. On the other hand, small representations of anatomical features or creatures suggest that the wearer required protection over a specific body part, or that he/she desired the skills of a particular animal.
To discover more about amulets in the Ancient Egyptian world, please visit our relevant post: Amulets in Ancient Egypt.