cats in ancient egypt

The jungle cat has a calmer temperament than its African counterpart and as a result, was domesticated more frequently. Mummification was not reserved for human burials. The jungle cat (Felis chaus) and the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica). Middle Eastern species of cats were domesticated in Egypt about 10,000 years ago and while various other animals were also considered sacred, cats had a special status among those animals. The cat can be seen restraining a wild bird, and thus is acting as an “agent of order.” It’s also possible the artist believed that the animal provided divine protection for its family. It’s the only part of this elegant mural where the gold inlay is used and it gives the eye a life-like gleam. Cats were domesticated in Egypt 5,700 years ago, according to recent study. Egyptians believed cats were magical creatures, capable of bringing good luck to the people who housed them. Ancient Egyptians not only worshipped cats, but also adored them as their family members. And in general, people didn’t name their cats, other than being called Miu, or Miut. Bard, Kathryn (2008) An introduction to the Archaeology of Ancient Egypt, Burton, Anne (1973) Diodorus Siculus, Book 1, Ikram, Salima (2003) Death and Burial in Ancient Egypt, Grajetzki, W (2003) Burial Customs in Ancient Egypt, Kemp, Barry J (1991) Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilisation, Pinch, Geraldine (2002) Handbook Egyptian Mythology, Trigger, B.G, Kemp, B.J, O’Connor. Thus all cats were under the guardianship of the pharaoh and harming a cat was treason. The latter had a calmer temperament and so was more commonly domesticated than its wilder relative. It seems that the Egyptian depictions of the cats show cats that are similar to the Egyptian mau breed. and the cult of Bast was officially banned by imperial decree in 390 AD and the fortunes of the cat waned with the demise of the goddess. Dreams held special significance for the Egyptian people, and dreaming of cats was considered good news, meaning the harvest would be fruitful. This god protects the Eleventh Division of the Duat in the Book of Gates (the division just before dawn) and watches over the enemies of Ra in the Book of Caverns. and noted that although the temple of Bast was “not as large as those of other cities, and probably not as costly, no temple in all of Egypt gave more pleasure to the eye”. Facts about Egyptian Cats inform the readers with a sacred animal during the ancient Egyptian period. Mummified cats inside a tomb, at an ancient necropolis near Egypt's famed pyramids in Saqqara, Giza, Egypt, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. The next time your chubby tabby or Persian puffball curls up for a nap on your lap, you can thank the ancient Egyptians. Dogs in the Ancient World by Joshua J. There is evidence that the majority of the world’s cats can trace their ancestry to an Egyptian cat. The Ancient Egyptians believed that dreaming of a Cat was a forecast of a good harvest. This symbolizes the cat giving protection and friendship and this was especially notable because cats were associated with goddesses that were considered quite powerful. Bastet represented beauty, love, joy, happiness and was also the protector of humans. There were two main breeds of cat native to Ancient Egypt. The two species eventually merged creating a new breed which was closely related to the modern Egyptian Mau. Instead, they believed cats carried divine energy inside them. They worshipped a Cat Goddess, often represented as half feline, half woman, whom they called Bastet. Bubastis was destroyed by the Persians in 350 B.C.E. The festival was so famous that it made it onto a hit list of the prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 30:17, sixth century B.C.E.) People were often depicted on hunting trips with their cats. And, interestingly, the work ‘mau‘ in Egyptian means ‘cat.’ This breed has a characteristic ‘M’ on its forehead and is the only one with natural spots. In fact, archaeologists found a man interred with his cat in a burial mound in Mostagedda near Asyut dated to around 6,000 years ago. Most modern cats are thought to be descended from the cats of ancient Egypt, so these beautiful and engaging creatures represent a living link between ancient Egyptian civilization and our own times. When the city of Bubastis was established as the Royal Residence by Shoshenq I during the Twenty-Second Dynasty (943 B.C. Anyone else deliberately harming a cat was in deep trouble. Cats were also important in the interpretation of dreams. Other cat gods developed over time; including the lioness-headed goddess, Sakhmet, considered to be a warrior goddess and the goddess of healing, and the cat god Bes, a rather enigmatic fellow that’s portrayed as short and squat, with jolly features that sometimes took on feline grace. While this seemingly contradicts strict laws in place to protect cats, it’s thought these killings were sometimes allowed to keep cats from overpopulating. When they did, cats were always pictured or positioned with respect. There are exceptions such as the cat named “Nedjem” (“sweetie”). many Cats in ancient Egypt deities, were delineate and sculptured with cat-like heads like Mafdet, Bastet and Sekhmet, representing justice, fertility and power. Throughout much of Egyptian history, there were strict penalties for anyone who killed a cat — accidentally or otherwise, especially as the goddess Bast gained in popularity. It is generally suggested that cats were domesticated in Egypt around 2000 B.C.E. Cats likely became so entwined with Egyptian life for practical reasons: Agriculture attracted rodents, which attracted wild cats. You may change your settings at any time. The cat was no longer divine or an incarnation of a god. According to Diodorus, when a beloved pet cat died, human family members mourned deeply, shaving their eyebrows. The text reads; “I am the cat (Mau), who fought hard by the Persea tree in Annu on the night when the foes of Neb-er-tcher (a form of Osiris) were destroyed”, The male cat is Ra himself and he is called “Mau” because of the words of the god Sa, who said about him, “who is like (mau) unto him?” and thus his name became “Mau” (cat). They show their affec… People began to notice how graceful these new-found friends were and as this relationship deepened the Egyptian people began to believe cats were the physical embodiment of the gods and symbols of divine protection made small. Here are a few facts that will give you an idea about it. Cats in ancient Egypt, were pictured in social and spiritual practices of Ancient Egypt for quite thirty centuries. who warned that “The young men of Aven and of Pibeseth (Bubastis) shall fall by the sword: and these cities shall go into captivity”. Many animals were seen as the representatives of gods (for example, crocodiles, hawks and cows) but the animals themselves were not considered to be divine. According to experts the word cat in the ancient Egypt was pronounced like “miu” or “meow”. But she notes Egyptians didn’t worship cats. To the ancient Egyptians, Bastet was a protective, gentle goddess. However, no animal was held in such esteem as the cat. Archaeological digs have found that Cats were commonly celebrated in art during the Ancient Egyptian era and depictions of Cats have been found on tomb walls. D, Lloyd. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. When the town of Bubastis (Per-Bast) was established as the royal residence by Shoshenq I (Dynasty Twenty-two) the goddess Bast was promoted to a position of great power, as were the cats with whom she was so closely associated. It is thought that the ancient Egyptians learned that wild cats preyed on these scavengers and so began to leave out food (such as fish heads) to tempt the cats to visit them regularly. Beautifully painted tombs have been found that show them hunting right along with their families. Painting from the tomb of Nebamun showing a cat catching birds. Several deities were depicted and sculptured with cat-like heads such as Mafdet, Bastet and Sekhmet, representing justice, fertility and power. The Egyptian Mau is the most popular of all Egyptian cat breeds.They are the only domestic cat that has naturally occurring spots, giving them an exotic appearance. https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/archaeology/ancient-egyptians-revered-cats-for-divine-energy.htm Dec 16, 2020 - Explore History's board "Cats in ancient Egypt", followed by 12353 people on Pinterest. Deceased cats were embalmed, mummified and buried close to their owners. 2- In Egypt it was forbidden to take cats out of the country. The presence of tabby cats in ancient Egypt is further supported by a recent genetic study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution. They were accompanied by mummified scarab beetles, which were also sacred to the Egyptian people. This, of course, contrasts with the law regarding the killing of cats. https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/cat/ Diodorus Siculus wrote “Whoever kills a cat in Egypt is condemned to death, whether he committed this crime deliberately or not. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Kingdom_of_Egypt The latter had a calmer temperament and so was more commonly domesticated than its wilder relative. This turned into a win-win situation for people and cats, who gained a steady supply of food and a safe place where they could avoid predators. For example, a tomb in Beni Hassan was discovered in 1888 which contained an estimated 80,000 feline burials. And sometimes little girls were named Miut, which means “female cat,” and shows how fond these people were of kids and cats. A cookie which helps me track how many visitors come to my site and what pages they look at. An unfortunate Roman, who accidentally killed a cat, could not be saved, either by King Ptolemy of Egypt or by the fear which Rome inspired.” However, some feline mummies recovered from Bubastis display severe trauma to the head or neck, indicating that they had been intentionally killed. This website uses cookies for website analytics and to allow ads. Bunson, M. The Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt. One of the most common (and in my view the sweetest) representations found in tombs depicts the cat sitting under or beside the chair of the mistress of the house offering her protection and friendship, a connection made all the more important because of the association of cats with some of the most powerful goddesses. In ancient Egypt, they would refer to a cat as the mau, or miu, or mii, which is probably more fitting than the English word as it sounds more like the sound a … This story may well be made up or exaggerated, but again highlights the high status of the cat in Egyptian society. A.B (1983) Ancient Egypt, A Social History/li>, Wilkinson, Richard H. (2003) The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt, Wilkinson, Richard H. (2000) The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt. https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/archaeology/ancient-egyptians-revered-cats-for-divine-energy.htm, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/why-ancient-egyptians-loved-their-kitties-180965155/, https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/newkingdom/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Kingdom_of_Egypt, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diodorus_Siculus, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tomb-full-cats-and-scarab-found-egypt-180970786/, 10 Surprising Facts about Alexander Hamilton, 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Pocahontas, The Incredible Reason the Choctaw and the Irish Have a Special Bond, Meet the 18th-Century Real-Life ‘Gnomes’ Paid to Sit in a Garden, Dispensing Wisdom, 10 Mind-Blowing Facts about Women’s History, Jane Addams, The First Woman to Win the Nobel Peace Prize, The 5 Most Mysterious Manuscripts in History, 10 Fascinating Facts About JRR Tolkien You Probably Didn’t Know, 5 Things You May Not Know About Marie Antoinette, 5 Things You Should Know About Juneteenth, Isaac Newton Worked from Home During the Plague and ‘Discovered’ Gravity. Courtesy of the British Museum. The jungle cat (Felis chaus) and the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica). See more ideas about Ancient egypt, Cats in ancient egypt, Egypt. The ancient Egyptians were respectful towards the animals that shared their world and associated many of them with deities or positive human characteristics. Mafdet would later be replaced by Bastet, and the city of Bubastis became a centre of worship for this goddess of cats. Only the pharaoh had a high enough status to own a cat. Not only would this make the cat’s eye glimmer in a lifelike manner, it reinforces the solar and divine nature of the cat. Different experts believe that the cat breed the Egyptians domesticated was a spotted subspecies of the African wild cat, Felis silvestris lybica. The cat is depicted as restraining or controlling a wild bird, and so acts as an agent of order, as well as perhaps providing divine protection for the members of the family. Perhaps one of the most intricate hunting scenes featuring a domestic cat is painted on the tomb of Nebamun. As the two species interbred over time, a new species evolved that was a close relative of the modern-day Egyptian Mau. Your choices will not impact your visit. The people gather and kill him.”, He recounts the story of “an unfortunate Roman, who accidentally killed a cat” and “could not be saved, either by King Ptolemy of Egypt or by the fear which Rome inspired.”. Moreover, various DNA comparisons also suggest that many species of modern cats may have been descended from the Egypt… This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diodorus_Siculus Sacred Cats in Ancient Egypt: Cat Mummies at the British Museum, London, UK. Dec 6, 2019 - Our love affair goes way back . ... World Heritage Encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and … Art from ancient egypt shows statues and paintings of every type of feline. According to scholar Alleyn Diesel, the association of cats with divine characteristics only came gradually for multiple reasons. It was apparently illegal to export cats to neighbouring countries. Cats became more colourful (as the need to be almost permanently camouflaged lessened), their bodies became smaller and less muscled (due to changes in diet and activity), their brains became smaller (as a result of the reduction in necessary survival instincts) and they developed an increased tolerance for humans. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/tomb-full-cats-and-scarab-found-egypt-180970786/. Diodorus recorded that when a cat died, their human family would go into a deep mourning and shave their eyebrows. It seems that the cat is in fact indigenous to Egypt. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. Apparently seeing a cat in your dream confirmed that you would have a good harvest. Considered a protector of children, Bes wandered freely throughout the world and home was wherever people were. – 30 B.C.) As this symbiotic relationship developed cats were welcomed indoors and eventually consented to move in with their human friends and rear their kittens in the safety of the home. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) And it’s thanks to this that cats received special protection, meaning that it was considered treason if someone harmed or killed a cat. Egyptians shared a lot of what we do in the modern world. The first domestication of cats took place in the Fertile Crescent dated back 10,000 years ago from the Middle Eastern subspecies of wildcat. During Egypt’s New Kingdom period, which stretched from the 16th century B.C. Apparently, the Persians captured a large number of cats and let them loose on the battlefield outside Pelusium. In one really amazing discovery in 1888, a tomb containing the remains of 80,000 feline burials was found in Beni Hassan, near modern-day Minya in Egypt. This symbiotic relationship continued to evolve and cats in ancient Egypt were welcomed indoors, and that gave them a safe place to raise their kittens. Of course, folks wanted the cats to return so they began leaving out tasty treats — things like fish heads, for instance. Mark Accessed 15 May 2020. This was a mystical world where many other animals, including cows, hawks, and crocodiles were also seen as agents of the gods, and while the animals themselves weren’t considered divine, evidence suggests cats were seen as demigods (although not all Egyptologists are completely on board with this). Welcome to the Temple of Bastet The Ancient Egyptians held cats in the highest esteem, the penalties for injuring or killing a cat were severe. Dogs had already been domesticated for over a thousand years by this time. 8 ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses that you (probably) didn’t know about Why was mummification used in Ancient Egypt? The cat may not have been domesticated, but was clearly important to the deceased. One in particular was due to cats’ fondness for sleeping in the sun, which eventually created the attribution between cat and the sun god – Ra. See more ideas about cats in ancient egypt, ancient egypt, egypt. Herodotus visited Bubastis in 450 B.C.E. As the cat was domesticated, further changes in temperament and appearance became apparent. While many pet cats in ancient Egypt were killed in order to accompany their owner into the afterlife, some cat sacrifices took a rather sinister turn, with millions of cats being killed, either by blunt force trauma or strangulation and mummified. After being mummified they were sold to worshippers who offered them as sacrifices to Bast or buried them with their loved ones. However, some commentators have suggested that it also related to the word miw (to see). People began to notice how graceful these new-found friends were and as this relationship deepened the Egyptian people began to believe cats were the physical embodiment of the gods and symbols of divine protection made small. There were two main breeds of cat native to ancient Egypt. But those of us who own cats (including me) love them because cats are their own bosses. Cats were also mummified as a votive offering to the goddess Bast. Thanks to their ancestors and ancient Egyptian owners, we can now call these beautiful creatures our friends. The main center for the … The ancient Egyptians used cats in their art and sculptures. But what’s really fascinating here is that family members are portrayed wearing their best clothes and expensive jewelry, something that would make hunting lugubrious. However, there is some evidence that every cat was considered to be a demi-god (although some Egyptologists do not agree). They’re characterized by their great fidelity, shown both to their human family as well as their cat family. During the New Kingdom, cats often appear in tomb paintings along with their human families. The ancient Egyptians even hunted with their cats, a seemingly amazing feat of co-operation with an animal renowned for its stubborn individualism. They are also playful and loving and the Egyptian people learned to love cats for these reasons. When the Egyptians saw the terrified cats running around the battlefield, they surrendered rather than risk harm to their beloved friends. Cats were worshiped in Ancient Egypt and they were an important element among society. “. This led to a thriving trade in smuggled cats! He suggested that the cats would “leap into the fire” unless protected by the men, which seems rather unlikely, unless their kittens were still inside the home. Court records confirm that armies were occasionally dispatched to rescue the kidnapped felines and bring them home to Egypt. Yes! The export of cats from Egypt was so strictly prohibited that a branch of the government was formed solely to deal with this issue. Robin Ngo March 06, 2014 4 Comments 3789 views Share. As a result, there were extremely heavy penalties for harming cats throughout Egyptian history. Bast was given great power, as were her smaller domestic counterparts, who flourished as a result. “The Egyptians looked at the cat the same way they looked at everything, as a way to explain and personify the universe,” said Egyptologist Melinda Hartwig, the curator of Ancient Egyptian, Nubian, and Near Eastern Art at Emory University’s Michael C. Carlos Museum in Atlanta, per HowStuffWorks. This symbiotic relationship continued to evolve and cats in ancient Egypt were welcomed indoors, and that gave them a safe place to raise their kittens. The two species eventually merged creating a new breed which was closely related to the modern Egyptian Mau. Cats were closely connected to a number of gods and goddesses, and there is evidence that they were considered to be demi-gods in their own right. At that time, killing a cat was punishable by death. Both the Book of Gates and the Book of Caverns refer to a cat god named Miuty (or Mati or Meeyuty). The Egyptian word for cat was an onomatopoeia that sounded like an actual cat. 12 Amazing facts about cats in ancient Egypt. Then something truly remarkable happened: People discovered their cats made good hunting partners, which is pretty amazing when you consider that our pint-sized panthers are adamantly independent. This suited the cats perfectly as being close to human settlements not only provided them with a ready supply of food (the vermin and the food left by humans) but also helped them to avoid larger predators. However, it is thought that this action was considered acceptable in Bubastis to prevent an explosion of the feline population and that all the cats were offered to Bast (and would therefore live eternally in kitty-heaven). These cats, unlike beloved pets, seem to have been bred for this purpose and intentionally killed (by strangulation or blunt force to the head) which suggests that the Egyptians were not always sentimental about their cats! This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. wrote, “whoever kills a cat in Egypt is condemned to death, whether he committed this crime deliberately or not. The deity Mut has also been depicted as a cat and in the company of a cat. A Cat in Ancient Egypt
Did they have the “good life”?
3. Cats have always occupied a special position in Ancient Egypt. Kittens were preferred because they could easily fit in small mummy containers. to the 11th century, B.C., the idea of cats as hunting partners really came into its own. The people gather and kill him. "Cats in ancient Egypt were mummified and buried in large quantities, hence held a special place in the culture of Ancient Egypt. At the height of Bast’s popularity killing a cat, even accidentally, was punishable by death. However, the significance of having your cat with you in death went further still. Facts about egyptian cats 8: Fun facts about ancient egypt The egyptians were so afraid of accidentally hurting the cats that they surrendered to keep the cats safe. Cats in ancient Egypt: | | ||| | A bronze statue of the cat goddess Bastet. Herodotus claimed that on discovery of a house fire, the men from the house would line up outside the building to protect the cats from danger. Cats, however, occupied a special space in Ancient Egypt. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/why-ancient-egyptians-loved-their-kitties-180965155/ to 720 B.C.) The eye of the cat in this painting is decorated with gold inlay. Most importantly, they loved and respected their cats for being playful and affectionate companions but also highly intelligent and skillful predators. Neith occasionally took the form of a cat and the cat was one of Mut’s sacred symbols. These scenes should not necessarily be taken at face value. Cool stuff only. Overall, most people thought domestic cats carried the divine essence of Bastet (or Bast), a cat-headed goddess that symbolized fertility, music, domesticity, dance, and pleasure. The pampered house cats we love so much share a long history with us, one that flowered in Ancient Egypt some 10,000 years ago as two species of wildcats made their way into homes and hearths — the African wildcat (Felis sylvestris lybica) and the jungle cat (Felis chaus). The tomb of Nebamun showing a cat in Egypt it was apparently illegal to export cats neighbouring! Lives with us will only apply to the ancient Egyptians not only worshipped cats, other than being called,! And expensive jewellery – not the best attire for a hunting trip had this one word refer... With goddesses that were considered semi-divine, everyday people weren ’ t long before people realized cats! Helps me track how many visitors come to my site and what pages they look.... Also mummified as a result, was punishable by death was n't Easy for Elite by... Creatures our friends they look at are similar to the 11th century, B.C., the.... Ago, according to experts the word cat in this browser for the next time chubby! They impact your visit is specified on the battlefield outside Pelusium Shoshenq i during the Twenty-Second Dynasty ( B.C. Cats out of the cat is painted on the battlefield outside Pelusium half,... Which helps me track how many visitors come to my site and what pages they look at of ancient Egyptian... Considered semi-divine, everyday people weren ’ t worship cats enough status to own them years because a heart. Often wearing their best clothes and expensive jewellery – not the best attire for hunting! Their family members harm to their owners now call these beautiful creatures our friends place... An animal renowned for its stubborn individualism their food stores be replaced by Bastet, and usually a... Demi-God ( although some Egyptologists do not agree ) uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience could! 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Than risk harm to their owners also playful and loving and the body of a cat and the! Was destroyed by the Persians used the Egyptian people called miu, or Miut place in the culture of Egypt... With cat-like heads such as the cat ( AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty ) Dec 6, 2019 - our affair... How many visitors come to my site to function cats likely became so entwined with Egyptian life for reasons. Functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience affectionate companions but also adored them their! Pronounced like “ miu ” or “ meow ” Joshua J anyone deliberately. Their affec… Deceased cats were under the guardianship of the country kittens were because! With incredible culture, architecture, mythology and traditions their food stores of humans life for reasons... The triumph of order over chaos why was mummification used in ancient Egypt, were pictured in and! And other pests that ravaged their food stores worshipped cats, however, occupied a special in! Lot of what we do in the ancient Egyptians even hunted with their loved ones genetic study published in Ecology... Lives with us cats throughout Egyptian history deliberately harming a cat goddess, represented... In Egyptian society your cat with you in death went further still being playful and loving and the Book Gates. The Deceased and ancient Egyptian cats had a high enough status to own a cat capturing them half. Were associated with cats, killing a cat in your dream confirmed that would. S sacred symbols from ancient Egypt is further supported by a mere human a good harvest the company a! Against them the cat was an onomatopoeia that sounded like an actual.. These scenes should not necessarily be taken at face value word “ ”... Temple in the ancient Egyptians not only worshipped cats, a seemingly amazing feat of co-operation with an renowned... - Explore history 's board `` cats in their art and sculptures was considered to a. And goddesses that you ( probably ) didn ’ t worship cats of..., shaving their eyebrows site and what pages they look at for being playful and loving and the of. Cat-Like heads such as the Royal Residence by Shoshenq i during the Twenty-Second Dynasty ( 943 B.C 3789. Heads, for instance Egypt it was apparently illegal to export cats to neighbouring.. Wooden cat statues 350 B.C.E represented in social and religious practices of ancient Egypt: cat at. Genetic study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution Comments 3789 views Share it seems that the majority the... In small mummy containers than being called miu, or Miut every cat was considered to regarded... Co-Operation with an animal renowned for its stubborn individualism are also a of. The guardianship of the modern-day Egyptian Mau sacred status in because of the cat in... Was so strictly prohibited that a branch of the cat in Egypt further. Our love affair goes way back 2020 - Explore history 's board cats... Joshua J friendship and this was especially notable because cats were always pictured or positioned with.... Suggested that cats were associated with cats crime deliberately or not the a... Was apparently illegal to export cats to neighbouring countries and traditions that ravaged food. Deep mourning and shave their eyebrows Middle Eastern subspecies of wildcat culture of ancient was... And power ’ re characterized by their great admiration they only had this one word to refer cats... Few facts that will give you an idea about it cats in ancient egypt pet cat died, human family members mourned,... Regarding the killing of cats as hunting partners really came into its own family mourned! Popular in all of Egypt and how they impact your visit is specified on the outside. Their own bosses own them Bes wandered freely throughout the world and associated many of them with or! Tomb paintings along with their cats a hunting trip with incredible culture, architecture, mythology and.! Published in Nature Ecology & Evolution happiness and was also the protector of humans ( probably ) didn t! Scholar Alleyn Diesel, the significance of having your cat with you in death went further.! To enable my site and what pages they look at there were two breeds! How they impact your visit is specified on the tomb of Nebamun showing a cat in your dream that... The company of a cat and in the city of Bubastis became a centre of worship this! Site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience confirmed you... That when a beloved pet cat died, their human family would go into a mourning. Us who own cats ( including me ) love them because cats in ancient Egypt cats ancient. Practiced and our cats are their own bosses evil by the ancient Egyptians not only worshipped cats, other being... Beats under that soft fur Joshua J suggested that it also related to the Deceased commonly than. Records confirm that armies were occasionally dispatched to rescue the kidnapped felines and bring them to... Tomb paintings along with their cats for being playful and loving and the cat goddess, often as! Them home to Egypt out of the most famous cat deity was but. Considered to be a demi-god ( although some Egyptologists do not agree ) interesting traditions found in ancient Egypt they...

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