The Cult of Mnevis, Sacred Bull of Heliopolis

Mnevis Bull was worshipped as the earthly manifestation of Re-Atum

Only two Mnevis tombs have been found, belonging to the reigns of Ramesses II and Ramesses IV, unfortunately the excavations of these tombs were carried out so poorly that very little information has been gained from them.


Unlike the Apis burials at the Serapeum, the Mnevis tombs were individual structures sunk into the ground - horizontal roofing slabs then covered the limestone chambers below. Canopic Jars were found with the burials, but were possibly supplied just for ritualistic purposes only (Canopic Jars found with the Apis burials were similarly empty).

Section of the tomb of a Mnevis Bull