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Why have so many cat mummies been found in ancient Egypt?
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cats as pets
A boy hugging a pet cat.
In ancient Egypt, cats held a revered status, evolving from useful predators that protected granaries into symbols of divinity. Their prevalence as mummies is primarily linked to their deep cultural and religious significance:1
- Religious Devotion: Cats were associated with the goddess Bastet, who was often depicted with a cat's head. As a deity of protection, she was central to cat cults, leading to the creation of large cemeteries for mummified cats at sites like Bubastis and Memphis as votive offerings.2
- Divine Protection: Egyptians viewed cats as cherished companions and divine protectors, believing they could offer protection in both this life and the afterlife.1
- Ritual Practices: Thousands of cat mummies have been discovered, often accompanied by mouse mummies intended as food for the cats in the afterlife, reflecting the high social and cultural value placed upon them.1
While these mummies were originally created for religious purposes, they were later exploited for various commercial uses, including as fertilizer and as an ingredient in paint, practices that stand in stark contrast to the reverence originally afforded to these animals.3