Funerary Papyrus of Djehutymes

In ancient Egypt, jackals and dogs were very common in the land between desert and urban areas, so they were associated with the world of necropolis and the dead. Specifically, their wandering among the tombs was interpreted as a perpetual guard service to the deceased.

The black jackal lent its features to different gods: Anubis, Wepwawet, Khenti-Amentiu and others, but there was a particular category of jackals in the divine sphere that were known as sTAw: they were the canids that pulled the solar boat during the night. 

Vignette from the funerary papyrus of the scribe Djehutymes. Third Intermediate Period, 21st Dynasty, ca. 1069-945 BC. Now in the Egyptian Museum of Turin.