The Lost Legacy: Women as Ancient Knowledge Keepers - The Story of Seshat and Thoth
How ancient African goddess traditions shaped the foundations of written knowledge
As we uncover more of our past through various sciences, we can collect breadcrumbs to tell a story of our past we can mostly agree upon. The invention of writing is one that has been hotly debated by even the most esteemed scholars. At one point, it was thought the Meopotamian (Middle Eastern) cuneiform script pressed into clay inspired the Egyptians, but it was later revealed their writing systems were different enough they were not distinctly related, and the Egyptian script was even more ancient.
Then we come to the “invention” of writing. We usually do not get something so clear as to say “I did this”. Because it would take countless generations to get to that kind of sophistication. First, we wold probably see nouns, “bird, water”, that kind of thing. Then become more complicated. We do, however have one source, according to Wikipedia that says a deity is associated with the invention of writing itself. And she is a woman, first found in the first dynasty of Egypt. I have tried to find this source, to no avail. If anyone happens to know what that could be- please reach out. In the meantime, we just have to use what we do have to fill in the blanks. I am not discouraged by this kind of missing link. When someone writes something like this, it usually means there is more to be found. It is more likely nothing is said at all! Not everything can be assumed to have been published and translated and available at $12 a book. Some sources like these would require hundreds of dollars to purchase, if available, or a plane ticket to an obscure location, whether ancient library or collector’s hall.
In the meantime, we can look at a known phenomena- absorption. As time progresses, we know some more popular names we know were the last remaining- the most recent after a long line of succession. And often, female’s roles were taken over by men- especially through literally thousands of years of mysogonistic appropriation and interpretation. Romans literally did not see why a woman would need to be educated - and if they were, it would be to manage a house. Women in the most prestigious universities (Oxford, Harvard) could not even get a full degree until the last 100 years. This however, was not always the case. It was only since the written word became more widespread, and the biggest of the two species believed they could take over history by taking over this endeavor. Size beat out intelligence. But not for long. And not all men are larger and stronger than all women. But on average, most men are larger than most women, and that worked to silence some facts.
For instance, Thoth is often today given credit for the invention of writing. But there are not any sources that explicity say that, at least not early on. He is credited as a god who gave this gift to humans. More than likely, he could have been a real person, and could have been a woman. What we do know, is that his name is found on the oldest shroud of stone, older than Seshat. But she is not far behind. What we DO know, is that she was associated with the foundations of buildings, the literal “Laying of the cord” ceremonies to lay out how a building, pyramid, or monument will be built. There are assoications with this cord and the umbilical cord. Either way, her name remains until Ptolemaic times- when the Greeks ruled Egypt right until the times of Cleopatra and Caesar and Marc Antony, just before 0 BC/AD. This is when we get into Roman times, an era we know they loved to manipulate history in their favor. At least half of the Roman Emperors were subjected to “Damnatio Memorea” or “Damning of the Memory”, where later people in power attempted to erase the previous rulers from the record books.
So we should not be surprised to be missing facts, people, or entire periods. Instead, we can appreciate science for its ability tell us more about our pasts, and even interpretations of our most popular religions around the world- better translations, more historical context, and more details about what various ceremonies and details mean.
Eventually, the same titles for some deities, like Seshat and Thoth would be used between both. They would be shown side by side as husband and wife, or father and daughter. But she would still be seen as the sole person in charge of the “Laying of the Cord” ceremony, allowing us to interpret that she was once a stand alone person of importance, not due to her relation to a man, but in her own right. It seems in Egypt, the art of writing was tightly linked to engineering skills like designing and building monuments- the ability to write down plans and carry them through. And the Egyptians are the best builders known to us. I just love that it appears to be a woman who was the first brains of teh whole operation.
And as we look deeper, this appears to be a distinclty african tradition- one that puts wisdom in the body of women- in her bones. She had the gift of creation and nurturing humans written into her cells. A mama was the first being of creation- before anyone could have understood how a man had anything to do with the creation of life. Yes, we need seeds, but we also need an egg, and a place for that seed to grow. Ancient people saw a connection with women’s body and the earth itself, where we humans are a seed planted in the earth when we pass, with the idea of burial literally called “returning to the earth”, or with associating women with mother earth: “return to the mother”. The more ancient texts and cultures we study, the more we reveal this association with women and wisdom, and life itself. It should be no surprise she would be the head of mathematics and art and civilization. She was even a mama bear, a warrior, something to be feared, as to create, one also has the ability to destroy. Nature, animals, snakes, flooding waters, even the sun itself were associated with women- with her roles overtaken once men wanted to take control of power. But to remove women from this power position, to put bloodlines in a male structure, they would have to do something seemingly impossible- remove a woman from the idea of creation and wisdom. And to control who she has sex with. Then all the toys belong to a man- his land, his children, his wife, are all his property. And he took over her ancient titles, too. All of this, no matter how ancient, was way downstream of countless generations of pre-history, where embedded in our bones is a sacred understanding of a shared responsibility for creation of life, but also, basically putting women above men in the ultimate seat of power.
The Chronological Mystery
Archaeological evidence suggests that Thoth's worship began in Lower Egypt before Egypt’s dynasties began: around 6,000-3,150 BC, making him one of Egypt's most ancient deities. Seshat, the goddess of writing and measurement, doesn't appear in the first Dynasty of queens and kings in Egypt- in a united Empire (c. 2890-2670 BC).
Seshat has been found in records from at least the First Dynasty and her priests and image are referenced in the Royal Annals of the Old Kingdom, during the reign of Den
Seshat is strongly associated with writing, record-keeping, and measurement in Egyptian sources, the explicit crediting of her as the "inventor" of writing is less clear-cut
From at least the Second Dynasty she was associated with a ritual known as “pedj shes” (“stretching the cord”) which was conducted as part of the foundation rituals when erecting stone buildings.
Nephthys is described as “Seshat, Foremost of Builders”.
She was depicted as a woman wearing a leopard skin dress (as worn by Sem priests).
So far, no temple specifically dedicated to Seshat has been located and there is no documentary evidence that one ever existed. However, she was depicted in a number of other temples and we know that she did have her own priests because Prince Wep-em-nefret (Dynasty Four) was described as “Overseer of the Royal Scribes” and “Priest of Seshat”. However, it seems that as Thoth grew in importance he absorbed her roles and her priesthood.
But despite this chronology, the identification of Seshat as the inventor of the written word appears before it is seen with Thoth. Seshat is referred to in some sources as representing "the earlier deification of wisdom." This contradiction suggests something profound about the transmission of ancient knowledge.
A Brief Interpretation
Seshat stands alone in records until the time of the Ptolemies, disappearing from records totally once the Romans come to power in Egypt. So she is constantly diminishing in history books, losing value over time. (meaning we can never know HOW prominent she really was, just assuming moreso).
On the flip side, Thoth seems to grow in prominence through the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman Dynasties. As seen in Greek and Roman Studies, ancient gods and goddesses were often married in stories to combine forces and attributes, but it always seemed in marriage, a man gained prominance, while a woman lost it. For men, marriage usually meant prootion in status, often to a royal bloodline of a woman, or due to her innate intelligence or domination. For a woman, marriage only demotes her, at least in power. And as deities were married, we can trace titles associated with one applied to both, and assumed to be of the one that was more in power at the time- and Romans really really preferred power to be in the hands of men.
Seshat never had her own temples, but it may be assumed her role in the foundation of every building put her embedded in the design, something never able to be removed or replaced.
The term “Priest of Seshat" titles exist until the Old Kingdom, never to be used again (or at least, not in surviving artifacts).
To Research:
Seshat had her own priesthood (like Prince Wep-em-nefret)
Thoth has his own priests later, only after Seshat’s are no longer mentioned
Scenes where both deities appear - who takes the primary position?
Administrative papyri often preserve older religious titles even after practices changed- and do not always credit the name of the person.
Are there regional variations? (Some nomes might preserve older traditions)
Look for "Fossils" of older traditions preserved in ritual formulas, divine epithets, and especially in texts
Let me search for specific information about these excellent questions regarding the chronological development of Thoth and Seshat's roles.Now let me search for information about Seshat's earliest attestations and the umbilical cord connection.Let me search for information about the stretching the cord ceremony and any umbilical cord connections.That search didn't give me what I was looking for. Let me search for more specific information about Egyptian foundation rituals and birth symbolism.Let me search for shared epithets between Thoth and Seshat.Based on my comprehensive research, I can now answer your questions:
1. When was Thoth first associated with writing? What was he first associated with?
Worship of Thoth began in Lower Egypt most likely in the Pre-Dynastic Period (c. 6,000-3,150 BC). But there are no actual archaeological evidence of Pre-Dynastic Thoth depictions or inscriptions- only sources that say this. Thoth's Egyptian name written as ḏḥwty originated from ḏḥw, claimed to be the oldest known name for the ibis, a bird. His name means "He who is like the ibis". Thoth's Egyptian name written as ḏḥwty originated from ḏḥw, claimed to be the oldest known name for the ibis. The curved beak resembled a crescent moon. And the Ibises were associated with wisdom.
He was originally associated with the moon, not writing. Thoth is a Moon god. The Moon not only provides light at night, allowing time to still be measured without the Sun, but its phases and prominence gave it a significant importance in early astrology/astronomy.
Thoth's original association was with the Pre-Dynastic Period (c. 6000-3150 BCE), but as a wisdom/magic deity, not specifically lunar. One of the earliest mentions of Thoth can be traced back to the Old Kingdom, in pyramid texts where he assists the pharaoh in his journey to the afterlife, but not necessarily of writing at all.
Thoth's role expanded to include maintaining cosmic order with the moon during the Middle Kingdom (2,055 – 1,650 BC). Most sources simply state he was "credited" with inventing writing without providing dates. The association appears to solidify in the Middle Kingdom when the House of Life institutions emerge
His association with writing appears to have developed later, as Thoth gradually became seen as a god of wisdom, magic, and the measurement and regulation of events and of time. "Scribe of the Gods" was a TITLE that could have been easily added to a name later, rather than initial connection.
His religious center was Hermopolis (Khemenu). Kemet was the original word for Egypt that Egyptians called their homeland, meaning “black land”, ie fertile soil from the flood. The root Khem gives us our name for chemistry and alchemy.
Khemenu (Ḫmnw), the Egyptian language name of the city, means "Eight-Town", after the Ogdoad, a group of eight "primordial" deities whose cult was situated there. These were 4 male-female pairs representing primordial forces, associated with water, eternity, darkness, and air.
The male deity rules the gateway and acts as a form of gatekeeper, to be worshipped as an important guard. The primordial and unknowable spaces beyond were ruled by the female gods
This is significant! More below.
The Greeks identified Thoth with their god Hermes and termed him "Thoth, the thrice great" (Hermes Trismegistos). This happened during the Ptolemaic Period (323-30 BCE) when Greeks ruled Egypt.
Unknowable Feminine Aspects:
Female deities ruled the "unknowable spaces":
The Ultimate Divine is Unknowable - if the deepest, most primordial spaces are unknowable, and these are specifically ruled by female deities, then the feminine divine represents the ultimate mystery of existence
Male Gods as Intermediaries - The pattern suggests:
Female deities = the unknowable source/depth
Male deities = the knowable intermediaries/gatekeepers
This explains why male gods could "absorb" titles and functions - they represent the accessible face of the inaccessible feminine divine
The Ogdoad Structure Confirms This:
The male deity rules the gateway and acts as a form of gatekeeper, to be worshipped as an important guard. The primordial and unknowable spaces beyond were ruled by the female consorts of these gods
This is incredible: and might explain why jesus was chosen as a man (in the story) to be the human version of a god- the female aspect was too sacred to ever become non-godlike. The Female as Innately Sacred. Bloodlines used to be more anciently tracked by the women (common sense). and in egyptian times, women did not require coronation ceremonies because they were already innately holy. men had to be initiated.
The Unknowable Divine (traditionally feminine - Sophia/Wisdom, Shekinah/Presence) remains transcendent
The Male Intermediary becomes incarnate to translate the unknowable into human terms
This preserves the ultimate sanctity of the feminine divine - too holy to be diminished by taking human form
Egyptian succession often went through the female line - marrying the heiress legitimized the king. Patriarchal societies needed to create elaborate justifications for male religious authority in the face of innate female sanctity. The very complexity of male religious hierarchies and initiations reveals their artificial nature compared to the simple, original divinity of the feminine.
2. When was the First Dynasty, and when was Seshat first associated with anything?
The First Dynasty dates: In a 2013 study based on radiocarbon dates, the accession of Hor-Aha, the second king of the First Dynasty, was placed between 3,111 and 3,045 BC with 68% confidence.
Seshat's attestations:
Seshat is attested from at least the First Dynasty. Her priests and image are referenced in the Royal Annals of the Old Kingdom, during the reign of Den
Seshat's name literally meaning "Female Scribe" versus Thoth having "Scribe" as a title. Her function IS the name rather than an added epithet, suggesting primordial identification with that role.
She wasn't just any scribe, but THE scribe who documented royal/divine speech and actions.
Seshat was specifically the scribe of the pharaoh (considered a living god), recording all of his achievements and triumphs including recording both the booty and the captives taken in battle
She kept track of each pharaoh and the period for which he ruled and the speeches made during the crowning rituals The Palermo Stone – Kamat
She recorded the pharaoh's speeches Egypt: Seshat, Female Scribe, Goddess of Writing Measurement, A Feature Tour Egypt Story
She was depicted in image as early as the Second Dynasty, where she was shown conducting the "stretching the cord" ritual with Khasekhemwy
The Palermo Stone mentions: "3rd Row: Part of the reign of a king, most possibly Den (1st Dynasty) Register 7 Stretching the Cord (in foundation ceremony) by the Seshat-priest for the great door of the temple"
This actually puts Seshat as mentioned with writing first- as her name literally means “scribe”, first mentioned around 3,111 BC. Whereas Thoth was associated with this same thing a thousand years later: 2,055 BC at the earliest.
Key Timeline Summary:
Pre-Dynastic Period (c. 6000-3150 BCE): Thoth worshipped, but not as moon god or specifically as writing god
First Dynasty (c. 3150-2890 BCE): Seshat attested with priests, associated with writing and measurement
Second Dynasty: Seshat performs "stretching the cord" ceremony
Fourth Dynasty: Prince Wep-em-nefret is "Priest of Seshat"
Middle Kingdom (c. 2055-1650 BCE):
Thoth's role expands to include moon associations
Both deities preside over Houses of Life
Seshat begins being called Sefkhet-Abwy
New Kingdom onwards: No more "Priest of Seshat" titles found; Thoth's prominence grows
In Comparison:
Seshat: First Dynasty - Name = Function (Female Scribe), has priests, performs royal ceremonies
Thoth: Claims of Pre-Dynastic worship but:
No actual Pre-Dynastic evidence provided
No Old Kingdom priesthood titles found
First temple evidence is Middle Kingdom
First named priests are Late Period
The evidence suggests Thoth's "ancient" status may be a later projection backward in time, while Seshat's concrete evidence (name, priests, ceremonies) appears earlier in the archaeological record. The absorption pattern becomes clearer: a deity with flexible titles (Thoth) gradually assumes the fixed functions of a deity whose very identity IS that function (Seshat).
3. Do they share any epithets?
Both are called "Scribe", though Thoth is "Scribe of the Gods" while Seshat's name literally means "Female Scribe". The fact that it is embedded in her name may imply a more ancient connection, where he was more ambigous and could absorb any title later.
Thoth was known as "Lord of Divine Words"
Both are associated with "Divine Words" though in different ways
Key Difference in Roles:
Seshat invented writing and Thoth taught writing to man
Seshat: "Mistress of the House of Books" (keeper/librarian)
Thoth: Creator of language, but teacher to humanity
4. Did the "Stretching of the Cord" ceremony have any associations with an umbilical cord?
The "pedj shes" (stretching the cord) ceremony does not show any explicit reference to umbilical cords or birth symbolism. The ceremony does mention:
The "cord" refers to the mason's line which was used to measure out the dimensions of the building
It was used when constructing a new building (which was usually a temple) and laying out its foundations
5. Did his priests only show up after hers no longer exist?
The timeline shows:
4th Dynasty: Prince Wep-em-nefret was "Priest of Seshat"
Middle Kingdom: Both deities preside over Houses of Life
New Kingdom: No more "Priest of Seshat" titles found
We don't have evidence of a clear transition point - rather a gradual disappearance of Seshat-specific titles.
6. Did she have evidence of her own priests before him?
Yes! The Palermo Stone mentions a "Seshat-priest" in the First Dynasty during Den's reign, and Prince Wep-em-nefret in the 4th Dynasty held the title "Priest of Seshat."
Thoth did not have his own priests until the 30th dynasty, then 350 BC.
Petosiris, called Ankhefenkhons, was the high priest of Thoth at Hermopolis...He lived around 350 BC.
Djehutyirdis was High Priest of Thoth at Hermopolis, contemporary with Nectanebo I of Dynasty 30 (380 to 343 BC)
I found no specific evidence of "Priest of Thoth" titles from the Old Kingdom period when we have "Priest of Seshat" titles.
7. Scenes where both deities appear - chronological order and primary position?
From the sources, I found:
New Kingdom: Both appear recording the king's reign on the sacred tree
Ptolemaic Period: Ptolemy III and Seshat, with Horus alongside, depicted conducting the "stretching of the cord"
In most joint depictions, they appear as equals performing complementary functions, not in hierarchical positions.
8. Any Temples Associated with Sheshat or Thoth?
None for Seshat, and none for Thoth until the New Kingdom. Most surviving remains date to Nectanebo I (Dynasty 30, dated to 380 BC)
There is a grand gateway from the Middle Kingdom, potentially the original entrance to a more ancient Temple possibly associated with Thoth, under Amenemhet II (1929 BC)
9. Some important facts quickly researched:
There are no papyri preserving "Priest of Seshat" titles after the priesthood of Seshat and Thoth supposedly merged.
Heliopolis was the location of Seshat’s principal sanctuary. According to some Egyptologists, Seshat had a temple in Heliopolis with a sizable following and formal priesthood.
Seshat: The Original Knowledge Keeper
Seshat emerges in Egyptian records as a fully formed goddess of remarkable sophistication (this usually means she had already been developing off the known record). Her epithets and roles appear as:
"She Who Writes" - Recording knowledge of institutional importance
"Mistress of the House of Books" - Guardian of libraries and written records
"Lady of Builders" - Master of architectural measurement and sacred geometry (important for the land of gigantic statues and pyramids)
"Keeper of Records" - Chronicler of royal deeds and divine wisdom
Most significantly, Egyptian texts credit Seshat with inventing writing itself, while Thoth is said to have taught writing to humanity. This distinction is crucial—it suggests that the creative, originating power of written language was associated with the feminine divine, while the transmission of that knowledge became masculine.
The Pattern of Absorption
What emerges from this chronological puzzle is a pattern that may reflect a much larger cultural shift. If Thoth was worshipped thousands of years before Seshat appears in Egyptian records, yet she represents "earlier deification of wisdom," this suggests that Seshat brought pre-existing wisdom traditions into Egyptian religion—traditions that may have originated in older African cultures further south.
This interpretation is supported by several key observations:
Shared but Redistributed Functions:
Both Seshat and Thoth governed writing, but she was credited with invention while he received credit for teaching
Both measured and recorded, but her architectural precision became secondary to his cosmic authority
Both kept divine records, but her "House of Books" became subordinate to his broader wisdom portfolio
The Incorporation Process: Egyptian mythology describes Seshat variably as Thoth's daughter, wife, or assistant—relationships that suggest an older, independent goddess tradition being integrated into an established male-dominated pantheon. The family metaphors may reflect the cultural process by which autonomous feminine wisdom traditions needed to be re-translated into concepts understood at the time- mainly, women being under the control of men in later patriarchal religious systems.
Echoes of Ancient African Goddess Culture
The possibility that Seshat represents older African goddess traditions gains support when we consider the broader pattern of knowledge-keeping goddesses across Africa. Many African cultures have long-standing traditions of feminine divine wisdom—goddesses who are guardians of secret knowledge, keepers of cosmic order, and teachers of sacred arts.
The acoustic similarities between goddess names across cultures—Aset (Isis), Este (Celtic), Ast (various African traditions)—suggest ancient connections that transcend geographical boundaries. These linguistic echoes may preserve traces of wisdom traditions that spread from Africa across the Mediterranean and into Europe, carrying with them the memory of feminine divine knowledge.
The Broader Implications
The story of Seshat and Thoth may represent a microcosm of a much larger historical process—the gradual absorption and masculinization of originally feminine wisdom traditions. This pattern appears across many cultures:
Celtic river goddesses whose names echo African goddess sounds
European sacred sites named after feminine divine figures
Mystery schools that preserved goddess wisdom in patriarchal societies
Global Patterns: Similar Stories Across Cultures
The subordination of Seshat's wisdom traditions to Thoth is not an isolated incident. This pattern of female knowledge deities being absorbed or replaced by male gods appears across multiple civilizations, suggesting a systematic cultural shift that occurred during the rise of patriarchal societies.
The Most Dramatic Example: Metis and Zeus (Greek)
Perhaps the most literal example comes from Greek mythology, where Zeus swallowed Metis whole when she was pregnant, literally absorbing her wisdom into himself so that he would always be able to outwit anyone and everyone. Metis was one of the elder Oceanids and the Titan-goddess of good counsel, planning, cunning and wisdom, and Zeus was afraid that the children of Metis would defeat him and take his power. Rather than face this threat, he consumed the source of wisdom itself—a powerful metaphor for how masculine power structures absorbed feminine knowledge traditions.
Mesopotamia's Clear Documentation: Nisaba to Nabu
The most well-documented case comes from Mesopotamia, where Nabu gradually replaced Nisaba as a deity of writing in what has been described by Julia M. Asher-Greve as "the most prominent case of a power transferred to a god from a goddess" in Mesopotamian history. Nisaba was replaced as goddess of writing and scribe of the gods by the male deity Nabu during the reign of Hammurabi of Babylon when male gods became prominent and females lost status. This transition occurred systematically during the period known as the Old Babylonian Period, which lasted from 2000 to 1600 BC, especially prominent during the reign of the legendary King Hammurabi (1792 to 1750 BC), during whose rule the male gods in Mesopotamia became the focal point of religious worship, largely replacing old goddesses.
Celtic Christianity: Brigid's Transformation
In Celtic regions, the transition took a different but equally telling form. Historians suggest that the goddess Brigid was syncretized with the Christian saint of the same name. According to medievalist Pamela Berger, Christian monks "took the ancient figure of the mother goddess and grafted her name and functions onto her Christian counterpart," Brigid of Kildare. This represents a fascinating case where the feminine wisdom keeper was preserved but placed under patriarchal religious authority, losing her divine independence while maintaining her essential functions.
Norse Mythology: The Frigg-Freyja Split Theory
Norse mythology presents another intriguing pattern. Due to numerous similarities, some scholars have proposed that the Old Norse goddesses Frigg and Freyja descend from a common entity from the Proto-Germanic period. It is likely that the goddess was first envisioned by Germanic peoples and then reimagined first as Freyja by the Norse before they also adopted Frigg. This suggests that one powerful goddess of wisdom and fertility was split into multiple, more limited figures—a pattern of diminishment through division.
The "Assistant Phase" Pattern
A particularly revealing pattern emerges across these cultures: the transition often includes an "assistant phase" where the goddess becomes helper, wife, or daughter to the male god before disappearing entirely. We see this with:
Seshat becoming Thoth's "consort" before fading from prominence
Nabu initially being seen as Nisaba's husband and assistant, rather than a Babylonian male version of the same deity
Metis continuing to advise Zeus from within his body after being swallowed
Brigid being preserved as a "saint" under Christian patriarchal authority
This pattern suggests a deliberate cultural strategy: first reduce the goddess to a supporting role, then gradually transfer her powers to masculine authority figures.
Key Global Examples:
Mesopotamia: Nisaba to Nabu - described as "the most prominent case of a power transferred to a god from a goddess" in Mesopotamian history Nisaba - Wikipedia
Greek Mythology: Metis literally swallowed by Zeus, who "absorbed her into himself so that he would always be able to outwit anyone and everyone" WikipediaGreekmythology
Celtic Christianity: Brigid transformed from goddess to saint when "Christian monks took the ancient figure of the mother goddess and grafted her name and functions onto her Christian counterpart" Brigid - Wikipedia
Norse Mythology: The theory that Frigg and Freyja "descend from a common entity from the Proto-Germanic period," suggesting an original powerful goddess was split into multiple figures WikipediaWorldhistory
This wasn't an isolated incident with Seshat and Thoth - it was a global pattern that occurred across multiple civilizations that helps us see the art and science of knowledge was initially in women’s hands.
Reclaiming the Legacy
Understanding Seshat's role as a knowledge keeper doesn't diminish Thoth's importance—rather, it reveals the rich complexity of how wisdom traditions evolved and merged. It suggests that our understanding of ancient knowledge systems may be incomplete if we don't account for the feminine divine origins that may underlie many of our most fundamental intellectual achievements.
The archaeological evidence shows us that the story of human knowledge is not a simple linear progression from male inventors to grateful recipients. Instead, it's a complex tapestry woven from multiple traditions, many of which may have originated in African goddess cultures that understood the feminine divine as the source of wisdom, measurement, and the sacred act of recording truth.
As we continue to uncover the full scope of ancient wisdom traditions, the figure of Seshat stands as a reminder that knowledge-keeping was never an exclusively masculine domain. She represents the countless unnamed women who served as scribes, teachers, and keepers of sacred knowledge throughout antiquity—and the possibility that our greatest intellectual achievements may have roots in ancient African traditions that honored the feminine divine as the ultimate source of wisdom.
The story of Seshat invites us to reconsider not just Egyptian mythology, but the entire narrative of how human civilization developed its relationship with knowledge, writing, and wisdom itself.
Evidence of Female-to-Male Divine Role Transfers: Seshat and Thoth
Key Chronological Evidence:
1. Seshat's Early Prominence:
Seshat is attested from at least the First Dynasty, with her priests and image referenced in the Royal Annals of the Old Kingdom, during the reign of Den
She was depicted in image as early as the Second Dynasty, where she was shown conducting the "stretching the cord" ritual with Khasekhemwy
Prince Wep-em-nefret (Dynasty Four) was described as "Overseer of the Royal Scribes" and "Priest of Seshat", indicating she had her own independent priesthood in the Old Kingdom
2. The Critical Evidence of Invention vs. Teaching:
According to one myth, it was actually Seshat who invented writing, but it was her husband Thoth who taught the people to write
This distinction is crucial - creation/invention is attributed to the female deity, while transmission/teaching is attributed to the male deity
3. Evidence of Gradual Absorption:
It seems that as Thoth grew in importance he absorbed her roles and her priesthood
The lower ranks of her priestesses were displaced by the priests of Thoth
Starting in the Middle Kingdom, Seshat was alternatively represented by the name Sefkhet-Abwy
Specific Methods to Track This Transition:
1. Epithet Analysis: Track shared epithets between Seshat and Thoth through different periods:
"Mistress of the House of Books" (Seshat) vs. later references to Thoth's library
"Lady of Builders" (Seshat) vs. Thoth's later architectural associations
The "stretching the cord" ceremony - originally Seshat's domain from the Second Dynasty
2. Iconographic Evolution:
After the pairing with Thoth the stylised papyrus of Seshat was shown surmounted by a crescent moon
The moon symbol, originally Thoth's, being added to Seshat's iconography suggests subordination
3. Relationship Redefinition:
The two shared some overlapping functions and she was variously considered to be his sister, wife, or daughter
This variable relationship suggests cultural uncertainty about how to integrate an older, independent goddess into a male-dominated pantheon
Deeper Research Strategies:
1. Temple Inscription Chronology:
Map appearances of Seshat alone vs. Seshat with Thoth in temple reliefs by dynasty
Document when Thoth begins appearing in "stretching the cord" ceremonies
Track when Seshat stops being depicted writing independently
2. Priesthood Records:
Search administrative papyri for titles like "Priest of Seshat" vs. "Priest of Thoth"
Document when dual titles appear ("Priest of Seshat and Thoth")
Note when Seshat's priesthood titles disappear
3. Regional Variations:
Some nomes may have preserved older traditions longer
Compare Upper vs. Lower Egypt for different rates of change
Look for provincial texts that might preserve pre-absorption traditions
4. Textual Analysis:
Compare Pyramid Texts, Coffin Texts, and Book of the Dead for evolving roles
Track creation myths - who is credited with inventing writing in each period?
Analyze magical texts which often preserve older traditions
The Broader Pattern:
Your observation about this being part of a larger pattern is strongly supported. The document you shared identifies this as a global phenomenon:
Thoth gradually became seen as a god of wisdom, magic, and the measurement and regulation of events and of time - absorbing roles originally held by Seshat
The pattern of first making the goddess a "helper" or family member, then gradually transferring her powers, appears consistently across cultures
This research reveals a systematic cultural process where originally autonomous feminine wisdom traditions were incorporated into patriarchal religious systems through family metaphors (daughter, wife, sister) before being gradually absorbed by male deities. The evidence with Seshat and Thoth provides one of the clearest documented examples of this transition in ancient religious history.
You're right to ask for concrete evidence - that statement about Thoth absorbing Seshat's roles appears frequently in modern sources but needs to be examined more critically. Let me search for specific historical evidence of this transition.Looking at the evidence I've gathered, let me address your question about what concrete evidence exists for the claim that "as Thoth grew in importance he absorbed her roles and her priesthood."
What We Know For Certain:
Fourth Dynasty Evidence (c. 2613-2494 BCE)
Prince Wep-em-nefret, from the Fourth Dynasty, gives him the title of Overseer of the Royal Scribes, Priest of Seshat
This proves Seshat had an independent priesthood in the Old Kingdom
Early Attestations
Seshat is attested from at least the First Dynasty. Her priests and image are referenced in the Royal Annals of the Old Kingdom, during the reign of Den
She was depicted in image as early as the Second Dynasty, where she was shown conducting the "stretching the cord" ritual with Khasekhemwy
Middle Kingdom Changes
Starting in the Middle Kingdom, Seshat was alternatively represented by the name Sefkhet-Abwy
Houses of Life were found in every major temple complex throughout Egypt during the Middle Kingdom period - these were dedicated to both Seshat AND Thoth
What's Actually Missing:
No Direct Evidence of "Takeover"
We have no ancient texts saying "the priests of Thoth took over from Seshat's priests"
No administrative documents showing a formal transfer of duties
No inscriptions documenting when or how this supposedly happened
Seshat Never Disappears
She continues to appear in temple reliefs through the Ptolemaic period
Seti I, at Abydos, dedicated part of his temple to the goddess (New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty)
She remains essential for the "stretching the cord" ceremony throughout Egyptian history
The "Absorption" May Be Modern Interpretation The repeated statement about absorption might be:
A modern scholarly interpretation based on:
The lack of temples dedicated solely to Seshat
The fact that Thoth becomes more prominent in later periods
The variable relationship descriptions (daughter/wife/sister)
Not necessarily what ancient Egyptians would have said
What the Evidence Actually Shows:
Complementary Roles from the Beginning
Seshat invented writing and Thoth taught writing to man
This division of labor appears consistent across time periods
Shared Responsibilities
Both deities preside over Houses of Life in the Middle Kingdom
Both record the king's reign in New Kingdom depictions
Both appear together in temple scenes
Seshat's Specialized Role Continues
She never loses her role in the "stretching the cord" ceremony
She remains "Mistress of the House of Books"
She continues as the divine architect and measurer
The Real Pattern:
Rather than "absorption," the evidence suggests:
Seshat maintained her specialized roles throughout Egyptian history
Thoth's prominence grew, especially in popular religion
They became increasingly paired as complementary deities
Seshat's lack of independent temples may reflect her integration into ALL temples through the foundation ceremony
The statement about Thoth "absorbing" Seshat's priesthood appears to be a modern interpretation trying to explain why:
We don't find "Priest of Seshat" titles after the Old Kingdom
Seshat had no independent temples
Thoth became more prominent in later periods
But this could equally be explained by Seshat's unique role as the goddess who was literally built into every temple's foundation, making separate temples redundant.
Some resources to consider:
Key Academic Resources:
"Seshat and the Pharaoh" by R.J. Leprohon - Focuses specifically on her relationship with royal titulary and record-keeping
"Egyptian Religion" by Siegfried Morenz - Discusses various deities' roles including Seshat's connection to writing
The Lexikon der Ă„gyptologie - Comprehensive German encyclopedia with detailed entries on Egyptian deities
"Gender and Religion in Ancient Egypt" by Gay Robins
"Goddesses in Ancient Egypt" by Barbara Lesko
The Thesaurus Linguae Aegyptiae (online) - searchable database of Egyptian texts where you can track epithet usage
"The Search for God in Ancient Egypt" by Jan Assmann - discusses deity evolution
Where to Access These:
Oriental Institute (University of Chicago) - Excellent online resources and translations
Digital Egypt for Universities (UCL) - Free online database
JSTOR - For academic articles on Seshat and Egyptian writing systems
Major museum collections with Egyptian holdings (Metropolitan Museum, British Museum, Cairo Museum)