Shield inlaid with colored Alabaster.

Dogs hunt gazelles.Hemaka's tomb, Saqqara 1. Dynasty 3000 - 2800 BC

curtesy museum cairo

 

 

Depictions of typical Basenji dogs in Ancient Egypt were found in the graves of the great pyramid of Khufu ( Cheops ), built approximately 2700 BC in the IVth Dynasty.

 

 

A relief in the grave of Meruka dating to 2400 BC depicts a Basenji Type dog.

Mastaba of Mereruka in Sakkara

 

 

A basenji - resembling dog is to be seen depicted at the feet of his master on a gravestone of Sebeh - aa from 2300 BC.

A written document ( king letter ) Königsbriefe des Alten Reiches, (Urk. I, 128, 3-131,7) S. 154-155, in: H. Altenmüller und D. Wildung, Studien zur altägyptischen Kultur, Bd. 18, Hamburg 1992 from the 6th dynasty of Pharao Pepi II tells about the transport of a dwarf and the instructions by the expedition leader to pay close attention to the dwarf so nothing happens to him during the journey. The pygmies as divine dancers were held in high cultic esteem for the pharaohs.

In one travel diary of the only female pharaoh Hatschepsut 1490 - 1468 BC can mention found about dogs that were brought along from the country Punt, the Somalia of today. Were those dogs Basenjis? The description may be right.

 First Africa researchers brought knowledge about Basenjis.

 

 

 

Egyptian woman and dancing dwarf  Relief of the Seneb tomb

 

 

Dwarf with dog

Fotos Armin Heymer   Die Pygmäen

 

 

 

 

Egyptians, a dwarf and 2 Basenjis on the lash

 

 

 

 

Basenji mother and 3 puppies

 

 

 

 

On a stone carving from Pharaoh Antefaa II, approximately 2000BC, four dogs were shown. One of them has Basenji characteristics.

 

 

 

 

Nr. 3 Basenji Type dog

 

 

 

A limestone stele dating 1900 BC shows Renu and Dedet

with a Basenji Type dog sitting under the chair.

Chatsworth House Derbyshire Limestone stele chatsworth.org/

 

 

Even in old Egypt Basenjis seem to have chewed up things

Tomb of Nika-Anch

 

 

 

 Limestone stele Approx. 1600 BC Museum Louvre

Basenji Type dog with a kind of Bell Collar

 

 

 

 

 

 A small limestone Basenji sculpture, dating 1080 to 332 BC

Pergamon Museum in Berlin

 

 

 

May be a Basenji with a duck ?

Courtesy Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge

 

 

 

In the museum of Cairo there are mummies of Basenji size. There and in many other museums you will find faience and wooden models, which are very similar to Basenji Type dogs found in tombs.

 

 

Dog mummy and Cat mummy

 

 

 

 

A Tesem / Basenji?

Bilderwelten und Weltbilder der phraonen: Philipp von Zabern Vlg.

Taf. XVI - XVII Drawings in Beni - Hassan, Kom el - Ahman and Theben

 

 

Beloved Pets

 

Bibliotheca Alexandrian Mosaic Hellenistic Period

 

 

Statues and other depictions of this type of dog were found in other structures erected by the pharaohs and wealthy Egyptians.

 

 

Some dog models like Basenjis are painted red and white

Museum Cairo

 

 

 

Near Cairo a cemetery for animals is discovered in 2001 who was established 2,300 years ago. Egyptians used to mummify nearly all animals. In former times archeologists discovered other animal cemeteries and they found dog mummies. They found once more dog skeletons and mummies.

 

 

 

 

Grave of a woman, beneath a dog grave

Photo Courtesy American research center Egypt

 

 

We assume that Basenjis as catlike dogs were in high esteem. The first dog names were documented in Ancient Egypt. Names: BaHaakaa, Mahut, Xalmes, Salekai, Xabesu, Akena etc.