Head of a Falcon God

This exquisite head of the falcon god Horus, lord of the sun and patron deity of kingship, was found below the floor of the main chamber of his temple at Hierakonpolis, north of Edfu.

The head, which is made out of beaten gold, was fixed to a copper statue of the falcon Horus. It is topped by a twin-plumed headdress and decorated with a royal uraeus, or cobra.

The eyes are inlaid with rounded, polished, obsidian pieces, very similar to that of the real bird.

It was certainly a cult statue, which was set up on a base in its shrine, with a royal statuette placed under its protection.