[Red Badger]

Egyptologists think the snakebite manual was penned by the priests of Serket, the ancient Egyptian goddess of scorpions and other venomous creatures, as well as rebirth. Her priests were considered magicians or doctors because of their healing skills.

Again, 'snakes' associated with being a 'healer'...............

[Magnum44]

[PIF]

It is the only known version of this document.

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no, other versions have been found and some have more or less than the one Wilbour found.

no mention that the Snake in Question is an evil snake in the underworld, but there are others that are good snakes to help the deceased.

Every thing is symbolic, not literal, in the Book oft he Dead. As are all the gods of Egypt; they are aspects of the Cosmic Order. To imagine the Snake represents a real interaction is folly.

[Revel]

“with advice on how to treat them. “

The one thing I was interested in, and not another peep about it in the article.

[dfwgator]

Egypt was troubled by the horrible asp, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

(Another band I’m sure you don’t like)

[CurlyDave]

...It is surprising to see that there were probably 10 species living in Egypt that are no longer living there...

Thus proving the intelligence of the ancients. The only good snake is an extinct snake.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Red Badger. The snake hieroglyph was generally intentionally cut in half in the inscriptions -- it had to be there, but cutting it 'killed' it so it would not magically come to life after the tomb was sealed.

[snip] That habitat would have been suitable for nine of the 10 species studied, including the black mamba, puff adder (which today is responsible for the most snake fatalities in Africa), and the Palestine viper... [/snip]