Cat Tissue and Linen
circa 1-100 CE
Egypt
The British Museum
Details
Culture/Civilisation
Ancient Egypt, Roman-ruled Egypt
Theme
The Great River Civilisations outside India: Mesopotamia, Egypt and China
Subtheme
Ancient Egypt – the Land of the Nile
Case Title
Egypt: this life and beyond
Display Location
Coomaraswamy Hall
Findspot
Egypt
Measurements
36.5 x 9 cm
Accession Number
EA6758
Description
Wrapped in elaborate bandages, this is the body of a mummified cat – its remains can be seen in the X-ray nearby. Cats were sacred to the cat-headed goddess Bastet, and mummies like this were offerings to her. There were huge cat cemeteries at Bubastis, Bastet’s cult centre in the Nile delta, and elsewhere.
Cats played a key role in daily life, guarding grain stores against mice. They were also often buried with their owners.
Other gods were linked to lions, monkeys, crocodiles, and birds. Mummies of these animals were also dedicated in temples.
