One of the most obvious evidences showing that cats were, indeed, the most domesticated animals in Ancient Egypt comes from the period between 2,000-1,000 BCE, from the desert on the outskirts of the town of Beni Hasan, an ancient Egyptian cemetery site. Moreover, the men of the household would shave their eyebrows to express their sorrow. Even when a pet cat died, elaborate funerary rituals were held in its honor, and the entire family would go into deep mourning. Herodotus wrote that in Ancient Egypt, the pet cat was considered as another member of the family. The ancient Greek historian, Herodotus, who traveled to Ancient Egypt, has mentioned in one of his travelogues about the importance of domesticated cats. Most tomb paintings representing household scenes have depictions of cats either playing, feeding, or just resting. There is ample historical and archaeological evidence to show that the cat was, indeed, an integral part of a standard ancient Egyptian household. But, they were also held in high esteem for their aloofness and mysterious characteristics. The ancient Egyptians admired cats for their friendly, playful, and intelligent traits. It is absolutely fascinating how cats not only entered the common households of Ancient Egypt, but also occupied an important place in their religious realm. One such aspect is the peculiar relationship that the ancient Egyptians shared with felines―cats in particular. However, there are several other aspects as well, which have managed to attract substantial amount of popular attention. Their pyramids and mummies have always been the subjects of awe. The ancient Egyptians have left a huge legacy of their material remains, which has helped us understand numerous interesting aspects of their life and culture.

On this land, some 7,000 years ago, a mighty civilization rose, and attained such a height that we can only but admire it. The Nile valley is one of the most fertile regions of the world, and it has been supporting human habitation since almost 9,000 years. Located at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe, the land of Egypt comprises hot, sandy deserts crossed by the ever-meandering Nile that constantly makes its way into the Mediterranean sea. Seeing their revered felines running haphazardly across the battlefield, the Egyptians chose to surrender, rather than killing the cats. The Egyptianizing of Canaan Not a BAS Library or All-Access Member yet? Join today.In a battle between Persians and Egyptians, the former captured a large number of cats to use them against the latter. Pharaoh’s Man, ‘Abdiel: The Vizier with a Semitic Name The Changing Nile and How the Pyramids were BuiltĪll-Access members, read more in the BAS Library: Hundreds of Egyptian Sarcophagi Uncovered in the Saqqara Tombs Among the finds have been hundreds of sarcophagi, human and animal mummies, grave goods, and statues. Since their discovery in 2018, the Saqqara tombs have provided incredible finds from across the span of ancient Egyptian history. These tombs are just a few of the many uncovered at Saqqara, which was the necropolis for the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis.

Other tombs revealed collections of statues, including those of a husband and wife with several servants. Included among them was the tomb of an important Egyptian official named Khnumdjedef, who served as the inspector of officials and priest of the pyramid complex of Pharaoh Unas, the last pharaoh of the Fifth Dynasty (mid-24th century BCE).Īnother tomb was for Meri, “keeper of the secrets and assistant to the great leader of the palace.” A second shaft tomb included the sarcophagus and mummified remains of a man identified by an inscription as Fetek. Hekashepes’s tomb was one of several discovered within a complex dating to the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties of Egypt’s Old Kingdom (c. As stated by Zahi Hawass, director of the team and former Minister of Antiquities, “This mummy may be the oldest and most complete mummy found in Egypt to date.” Within the tomb, the team uncovered the man’s 4,300-year-old remains covered with gold leaf inside a sealed limestone sarcophagus. As described in a press conference held by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Hekashepes’s tomb was discovered at the bottom of a 50-foot shaft.

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