<em>Mummified Cat</em>, 305 B.C.E.–395 C.E. Animal remains, linen, pigment, 14 7/8 × 2 3/4 × 3 3/4 in. (37.8 × 7 × 9.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 05.307. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 05.307_PS9.jpg)

Mummified Cat, 305 B.C.E.–395 C.E. Animal remains, linen, pigment, 14 7/8 × 2 3/4 × 3 3/4 in. (37.8 × 7 × 9.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 05.307. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 05.307_PS9.jpg)

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How and why did they mummify animals?

Animals were mummified much the same way humans were. The internal organs would be removed and the body would be treated with salt to dry it out. Later it would be wrapped and covered with resin. Frequently, what were sold as animal mummies were "false" mummies; the ibis here, for example, is just some feathers and stuffing wrapped up in linen.

The mummies were believed to deliver one's wishes, gratitude, of messages to the gods, animal mummies functioned as votive offerings to the gods and the deceased.

Do you have any other special information about mummified animals?

Certainly! It is believed that most animal mummies were created as offerings to various gods. Sometimes the wealthy could mummify their pets to be buried with them, too.

Is there a specific reason to offer animals to the gods?

Offerings of food, animals and other objects were made to the gods for a multitude of reasons. People would make offerings while asking a god for assistance or to thank a god for something good. Certain animals were offered to certain gods, and at certain times. For example, the ibis being offered to Thoth which I just described. Another example is during a funeral procession when sometimes a jackal's skin would be placed in an offering to Anubis, who is often represented as a jackal, and is believed to be the guardian of mummies.

Cool that makes sense

It makes complete sense to want to offer something special to Anubis so he would protect your mummy and safely escort you to the netherworld!

Did the Egyptians keep pets

Yes! Cats and dogs, and even baboons and other animals have been known as pets, and are depicted in tomb reliefs, pottery and jewelry.

Thanks

Mummified Cat

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

MEDIUM Animal remains, linen, pigment

Place Made: Egypt

DATES 305 B.C.E.–395 C.E.

PERIOD Ptolemaic Period to Roman Period

DIMENSIONS 14 7/8 × 2 3/4 × 3 3/4 in. (37.8 × 7 × 9.5 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

ACCESSION NUMBER 05.307

CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION The cat mummy is wrapped in linen placed cylindrically. Only the head, ears erect, protrudes from the wrappings. The head is elaborately molded and is patterned with black and red pigment. The patterns include alternating black and red lines, a line of small black dots, and a continuous contour line which wrap, parallel to one another, over the snout of the cat and extend around to the lower back of the head. Mummy of Cat wrapped in line with elaborately molded head with painted details in red and black. The ears are erect. Right ear is partly gone. Bandages around the nose are decayed and appear blackened compared to the tan hue of the aged linen wrappings. At the base, the bandages are slightly decayed and loose at the base. The cat mummy is wrapped in linen placed cylindrically. Only the head, ears erect, protrudes from the wrappings. The head is elaborately molded and is patterned with black and red pigment. The patterns include alternating black and red lines, a line of small black dots, and a continuous contour line which wrap, parallel to one another, over the snout of the cat and extend around to the lower back of the head. Mummy of Cat wrapped in line with elaborately molded head with painted details in red and black. The ears are erect. Right ear is partly gone. Bandages around the nose are decayed and appear blackened compared to the tan hue of the aged linen wrappings. At the base, the bandages are slightly decayed and loose at the base. Overall in good condition.

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Mummified Cat, 305 B.C.E.–395 C.E. Animal remains, linen, pigment, 14 7/8 × 2 3/4 × 3 3/4 in. (37.8 × 7 × 9.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 05.307. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 05.307_PS9.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 05.307_PS9.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2015

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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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