The crocodile is lying on a shrine, which is bordered by a cornice and torus moulding. Its tail hangs down one of the short sides. This representation corresponds to the hieroglyph for the godSobek. The crocodile was regarded as his Ba. Crocodiles, however, were both venerated and persecuted in Ancient Egypt because they were dangerous. There were important cult centres in the Faiyum and in Kom Ombo in Upper Egypt.
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