Egyptian Relief Depicting Butchering in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, June 2018

Butchering Scene (Slaughtered Sacrificial Ox) (Primary Title)

Unknown (Artist)

Date: 2475-2345 BC

Culture: Egyptian

Category: Sculpture

Medium: limestone

Collection: Ancient Art

Dimensions: Overall: 14 1/4 × 22 in. (36.2 × 55.88 cm)

Object Number: 66.33


The ritual sacrifice of cattle was important in Egyptian religion and was frequently depicted in tombs. This relief shows the slaughter of two animals. On the left, two men prepare to sacrifice an ox: one holds a knife while the other holds a jar to catch the blood. On the right, a man shoulders a haunch of meat from a butchered ox. Beef was a luxury for most Egyptians, so this relief most likely represents a ritual rather than a market scene.

Text from: www.vmfa.museum/piction/6027262-15501910