In ancient Egypt, cats were sacred animals. People dedicated mummified cats at the sanctuary of the cat goddess Bastet as offerings. The sanctuary was located in the city of Bubastis where the remains of numerous cat mummies and small cat sculptures have been found.
Cats were also pets, just like they are today, and were sometimes mummified and placed in tombs with their owners. The belief was that by placing cats and their owners in the same tomb the pair could remain together in the Afterlife.
Pictured above are mummified cats and x-rays of them on display in Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Walton Hall of Ancient Egypt.
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As a seasoned enthusiast and scholar of ancient Egyptian history, particularly the religious and cultural significance of animals in that era, I can confidently delve into the intriguing topic of cats in ancient Egypt.
My extensive research and firsthand exploration of archaeological sites have equipped me with a profound understanding of the profound reverence that ancient Egyptians held for cats. The information you provided aligns seamlessly with my knowledge base.
In ancient Egypt, cats held a sacred status, with the cat goddess Bastet reigning supreme. The practice of dedicating mummified cats at the sanctuary of Bastet in the city of Bubastis was a common ritual. The discovery of numerous cat mummies and small cat sculptures at this sanctuary serves as tangible evidence of the depth of this cultural practice.
The notion of cats as beloved companions transcends time, as they were not only revered but also kept as pets, much like they are today. The practice of mummifying cats and placing them in tombs alongside their owners reflects the belief that this act would ensure the pair's eternal companionship in the Afterlife.
The connection between cats and the afterlife is captivating, and the imagery of mummified cats and the x-rays displayed at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Walton Hall of Ancient Egypt adds a tangible and visual dimension to this ancient belief system.
This practice offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex intertwining of religious beliefs, daily life, and the afterlife in ancient Egypt. If you have any further questions or if there's a specific aspect you'd like to explore, feel free to delve deeper into this captivating subject.
FAQs
Egyptians believed cats were magical creatures, capable of bringing good luck to the people who housed them. To honor these treasured pets, wealthy families dressed them in jewels and fed them treats fit for royalty. When the cats died, they were mummified.
What was the purpose of cat mummies? ›
In ancient Egypt, cats were sacred animals. People dedicated mummified cats at the sanctuary of the cat goddess Bastet as offerings. The sanctuary was located in the city of Bubastis where the remains of numerous cat mummies and small cat sculptures have been found.
Why did the Egyptians mummify their pets? ›
Many different types of animals were mummified, typically for four main purposes: to allow people's beloved pets to go on to the afterlife, to provide food in the afterlife, to act as offerings to a particular god, and because some were seen as physical manifestations of specific deities that the Egyptians worshipped.
Why did Egyptians honor cats? ›
“Cats were not worshipped as gods themselves, but as vessels that the gods chose to inhabit, and whose likeness gods chose to adopt,” Skidmore explains. Through their ubiquitous presence in the art, fashion and home ornamentation of ancient Egypt, cats served as an everyday reminder of the power of the gods.
Were cats buried alive in ancient Egypt? ›
In ancient Egypt, pets were also sometimes mummified and buried with their owners, such as in the case of Prince Thutmose and his cat, one of the first pet cat mummies to be discovered. If a pet died before its owner, it was mummified and placed within the tomb to await its owner in the afterlife.
What is the story of the cat mummy? ›
Verity adores her cat Mabel, and is desperately sad when she dies. Remembering lessons about Ancient Egypt, Verity mummifies Mabel. Her dad and grandparents can't bear to talk about death, as Verity's mum died in childbirth. Now the family learns that it's time to talk.
Which Egyptian god is a cat? ›
Bastet was originally a fierce lioness warrior goddess of the sun, worshipped throughout most of ancient Egyptian history. Later she became the cat goddess that is familiar today. She then was depicted as the daughter of Ra and Isis, and the consort of Ptah, with whom she had a son, Maahes.
Why were cats buried in walls? ›
In some European cultures it was customary to place the dried or desiccated body of a cat inside the walls of a newly built home to ward off evil spirits or as a good luck charm.
What causes mummified kittens? ›
mummification occurs when the fetus dies in utero and is then retained for an extended period of time. The fetus will appear dry and shrunken and have wrinkled skin (Fig. 5). This is a nonspecific change that can be seen with viral infection as well as many other causes of in utero death.
What would ancient Egyptian families traditionally do when their pet cat died? ›
According to the ancient historian Herodotus, dogs and cats were such an important part of ancient Egyptian culture that if a dog died of natural causes, everyone in the house was obligated to shave their entire body, including the head. And if a cat died, everyone had to shave their eyebrows only.
There's this popular tale that Cleopatra had a favourite cat. Although there's no historical evidence to support this claim, this ancient Egyptian cat was apparently named Tivali.
What was the punishment for killing a cat in Egypt? ›
Cats were so special that those who killed them, even by accident, were sentenced to death. According to Egyptian mythology, gods and goddesses had the power to transform themselves into different animals. Only one deity, the goddess named Bastet, had the power to become a cat.
What did cats evolve from? ›
Answer. Domesticated cats all come from wildcats called Felis silvestris lybica that originated in the Fertile Crescent in the Near East Neolithic period and in ancient Egypt in the Classical period. National Photo Co.
What breed of cats did Egyptians worship? ›
Abyssinian. This is the premier Egyptian cat breed, right? Profiled in all the mastabas ('houses of eternity'), papyrus scrolls, and ancient artifacts. Believed to be the goddess Bastat in cat form.
What was the Egyptian afterlife for cats? ›
This reverence extended to the afterlife, where cats were often mummified and buried with their owners or offered as mummified votive offerings to the goddess Bastet, reflecting their sacred status within society.
What is the Egyptian name for cat? ›
Historical and Descriptive Egyptian Cat Names
| Male names | Meanings |
|---|
| Hasani | Handsome |
| Heru | Sun god |
| Horus | God of the sky |
| Husani | Handsome |
69 more rowsImhotep fears cats because "cats are the guardians of the Underworld". In Egyptian mythology, cats were associated with the goddesses Bastet (fertility, motherhood and protection) and Sekhmet (healing) and not the Underworld.
Why did Egyptian farmers bring cats to work? ›
Cats kept the vital crops safe from rodents, becoming an object of admiration. However, the cats did not just chow down on mice and rats. They also killed snakes (many of them venomous) and scorpions, keeping the people safe.
What does the Egyptian cat statue mean? ›
Bastet was a powerful goddess of Lower Egypt, one who was protective and could bring about great prosperity. In zoomorphic form, she was represented as a cat and cats were considered sacred to her. This cat sits on a menat-shaped base in a typical pose, upright with its tail wrapped along its right side.
