What is crocodilopolis?

Crocodilopolis is an ancient city located in the northern part of Middle Egypt, approximately 15 kilometers southeast of the modern city of El Minya. It was one of the largest centers of worship for the crocodile god Sobek, who was regarded as a powerful and important deity in ancient Egyptian religion.

The city was known by several names in ancient times, including Shedit, Shedet, and Per-Sobek, which means "House of Sobek." It was founded during the Middle Kingdom period (c. 2055-1650 BCE) and continued to be a major center of worship for Sobek throughout the New Kingdom (c. 1550-1069 BCE) and the late period of ancient Egypt (c. 664-332 BCE).

The city was considered to be the sacred home of the crocodile god, with several large pools in which live crocodiles were kept and worshipped. These crocodiles were believed to be the physical manifestation of Sobek on earth and were treated with great reverence by the local population.

Crocodilopolis was also an important cultural and economic center in ancient Egypt, with a thriving market for agricultural goods and other commodities. The city was home to several temples dedicated to Sobek, including the Temple of Kom Ombo and the Temple of Karnak.

Today, the ruins of Crocodilopolis are scattered throughout the modern city of El Minya, with only a few scattered monuments and temple ruins remaining. However, archaeologists continue to excavate the area and discover new relics and artifacts from this important ancient city.