O LORD OF THE OASIS In Egypt's Western Desert, worship of the mysterious god Seth thrived long after it waned elsewhere By Benjamin Leonard Bordered to the north by a high limestone escarpment, the Dakhleh Oasis in Egypt's Western Desert was home to a cult center dedicated to the god Seth. Objects found within the temple complex at the ancient city of Mut, located in the oasis, include figures of Seth in two of his animal guises: a copper alloy "Seth animal" figure (above left) and (above right) a miniature carved carnelian hippopotamus. 32 ARCHAEOLOGY * March/April 2020