The ancient Egyptians made offerings to the gods every day to ask for help and protection, or to give thanks for help. In the temples, the priests washed and dressed the god's statue, and gave it food. These daily food offerings were shared amongst all the priests and workers of the temple. Offerings from the pharaohThe pharaoh (king) was officially high priest of every temple. Craftsmen often decorated the walls with scenes of the pharaoh making an offering to the gods.

Offerings from the people

Men and women could make a gift to the gods at a household altar or through the priests at a temple. Offerings could take many forms, such as a stela (inscribed slab of stone or wood), a statue in stone or bronze, or a plaque to one of the gods. Real food or clay models of food were also offered.

The inscriptions on a statue or stela asked the god for life, wealth and good health for the living, or for offerings for the ka (part of the spirit of a dead person). Ears painted or carved on a stela made sure that the god heard the prayer.

Offerings of ‘sacred’ animals

Some gods were linked with animals and birds. The Egyptians made offerings of these creatures at the god’s own temple. These could be bronze statuettes, or mummified animals wrapped in bandages. Sometimes they put them inside lifelike wooden or bronze containers.