Did ancient Egyptians mummify their pets?

Ancient Egyptians mummified their human dead to ensure their rebirth in the afterlife. Human mummification is known throughout the Pharaonic period. In addition to humans, animals were mummified, including cats, ibis, hawks, snakes, crocodiles and dogs.

Why did ancient Egyptians mummify their pets?

The ancient Egyptians mummified more than just human corpses. Animals were viewed not only as pets, but as incarnations of gods. As such, the Egyptians buried millions of mummified cats, birds, and other creatures at temples honoring their deities.

How many animal mummies have been found in Egypt?

The Ancient Egyptians didn’t just mummify their dead human ancestors, they also mummified animals – in their millions. It’s possible up to 70 million animals were mummified and then buried in underground catacombs at over thirty sites across Egypt.

Did ancient Egypt have pets?

Animals were an incredibly important part of life in Ancient Egypt. They were hunted for sport and food, reared as livestock on farms, and some species were domesticated and kept as pets. It is thought that cats, dogs, monkeys and gazelles were often kept in Ancient Egyptian homes.

Why do mummies fear cats?

The Mummy was afraid of the cat because of the Egyptian belief that cats are the guardian of the dead. Having been risen from the dead, Imhotep probably thought that the cat could possibly send him back, hence being afraid of them.

Why were cats sacrificed in Egypt?

During the Hellenistic period between 323 and 30 BC, the goddess Isis became associated with Bastet and cats, as indicated by an inscription at the Temple of Edfu: “Isis is the soul of Bastet”. In this period, cats were systematically bred to be killed and to be mummified as sacrifices to the gods.

How much is a mummified cat worth?

The mummified cat has a guide price from $1,043 to $1,303.

What did Egyptians have for pets?

The ancient Egyptians kept animals as pets ranging from domesticated dogs and cats to baboons, monkeys, fish, gazelles, birds (especially falcons), lions, mongoose, and hippos. Crocodiles were even kept as sacred animals in the temples of the god Sobek.

Did Cleopatra have pets?

Contemporary accounts of Cleopatra do not mention any pets she may have owned. Her life has been heavily mythologized, and some legends claim that she possessed a pet leopard named Arrow, but there is no evidence of this in ancient sources.

How much does it cost to mummify a dog?

The cost to mummify a pet depends on the animal’s size. It typically ranges from around $9,000 for smaller pets like cats and small dogs and up to $30,000 for a larger dog breed.

How many mummified cats were found in Egypt?

Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities announced Saturday that a team of Egyptian archaeologists excavating a 4,500-year-old tomb near Cairo has found dozens of mummified cats. Also in the tomb were 100 gilded wooden cat statues, as well as a bronze statue of Bastet, the goddess of cats.

Did the Egyptians mummify Lions?

Archaeologists Reveal Rare Mummified Lion Cubs Unearthed in Egypt. Over the weekend, the Egyptian Antiquities Ministry unveiled a huge cache of ancient artifacts and mummified animals—most significantly, the rare remains of at least two lion cubs—discovered in Saqqara, a necropolis located just south of Cairo.

How ancient Egyptians used animals as pets?

Article. Pets were very important to the ancient Egyptians and considered gifts from the gods to be cared for until their death when they were expected to be returned to the divine realm from which they had come. In life, pets were well cared for and, at their death, were often mummified in the same way as people.

Did ancient Egyptians mummify pets?

As with other animals, the exact embalming procedures involved in pet mummification remains largely unknown. Evershed, the study coauthor, said, “The mummification process just isn’t documented by the ancient Egyptians, which is why we are doing the chemical analysis.

What are some of the most famous pet mummies?

One of the most famous pet mummies is that of the cat of Prince Thutmose (the eldest son of Amenhotep III). He spared no expense in the burial of his beloved cat Tamiut (literally “she cat”). A special limestone sarcophagus was beautifully carved with scenes of the cat sitting in front of an offering table laden with delicious food.

What was the first pet in ancient Egypt?

The earliest pets depicted on tomb walls are dogs and some were buried with great ceremony. Abutiu (or Abwtyw which could be translated as “with pointed ears”) was the hunting dog or guard dog of a sixth dynasty king (name unconfirmed) who was buried at Giza.

What are the different types of mummies in ancient Egypt?

Three main categories of animal mummies existed in ancient Egypt: Pets buried with their owner in a tomb. These were usually mummified with the same care as humans were. Animal mummies sold to the public as offerings to the gods. In the later periods, many sacred animals were specifically bred so they could be used as offerings.