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The Cat in Ancient Egypt

Bastet, Egyptian sacred cat

05-26-10 - Press Release

Idaho, Egypt, Africa

Cats were the sacred animal of Bastet, the cat goddess of ancient Egypt. They were then known as the "mau".

Represesenting joy, protection and fertility, cats were particularly revered in the Late Dynastic Period of Egypt, (1085-332 B.C.) when the goddess reached the peak of importance as a national divinity. They began as a wild species useful for crops and harvests but became domesticated and coexisted with humans. A religion was developed centering around their worship. Cat worship followed in later dynasties and became symbols of grace and poise as well. Statues of seated cats in wood, bronze and faiece were presented as offerings in temples or used as containers for the mummified bodies of animals buried in special cat cemeteries. The typical representation of the aloof cat is shown with a collar and perhaps an earring. Beautiful art representations are found in many tombs of the beloved cat. At death this revered animal was also mummified as humans were.

In 1888 a farmer discovered a large tomb with mummified cats and kittens outside the town of Beni Hassan with 80,000 cat mummies. dating 1,000-2,000 BC.