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Thoth, the god of learning and wisdom was represented by a hamadryas baboon.

Egyptians venerated the hamadryas baboon as one embodiment of Thoth, god of the moon and of wisdom and adviser to Ra, god of the sun.

Archaeologists have long puzzled over the prominence of the hamadryas baboon in ancient Egyptian culture.

A statue of a hamadryas baboon inscribed with King Narmer’s name dates to between 3150 B.C. and 3100 B.C.;

In their efforts to decode the significance of the hamadryas baboon, scholars have considered the way it is depicted in Egyptian art, noting two iconic forms.