talk about the curiosities of Egypt is to dive into the depths of one of the most extraordinary civilizations in history. Pharaohs, pyramids, amazing tombs, cat gods, reincarnations… there are thousands of interesting aspects that we can find when studying Egyptian culture. Already in Supercurious we have become quite passionate about this topic, and we have presented you with very interesting articles, such as the one on animals in Ancient Egypt. But this time We want to go a step further, to tell you specifically about mummified animals. Can you come with us? Well, let’s get started!
The meaning of mummified animals in Ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt, mummified animals were a common affair. So much so, that many animals were mummified for different symbolic and religious purposes. One of those subjected to this practice with greater recurrence were cats. Let’s remember that cats in Ancient Egypt were associated with the goddess Bastet, protector of homes and fertility. The mummified cats were offered to the goddess as offerings, and it is believed that their presence in houses and temples had protective properties. and brought good luck.
But Egyptian embalming techniques also gave rise to other mummified animals. One of them was the sacred scarab, which was associated with the god Khepri and was believed to symbolize resurrection and rebirth. Mummified scarabs were used as funerary charms, often placed in the mouth or chest of the deceased to protect them on their journey to the afterlife.
The ibis, which were associated with the god Thoth, god of wisdom and writing, were also mummified. and were used as votive offerings in the temples of Thoth. The mummified ibis was believed to grant wisdom and knowledge to the one who offered it. Other frequently mummified animals in ancient Egypt included snakes, crocodiles, baboons, and falcons, each with their own symbolic meanings and divine associations.
For example, mummified crocodiles were associated with the god Sobek and used as votive offerings in Sobek temples. Mummified crocodiles have been found in several Sobek temples in Egypt. For their part, the dark mummified snakes were associated with the goddess Wadjet and were used as votive offerings in Wadjet temples.
In general, animal mummification in ancient Egypt had a symbolic and religious purposeand was believed to grant protective powers and magical properties to those who offered and possessed them.
The difference between human and animal mummies
Animal mummies in Ancient Egypt had a different meaning than human mummies. While these were carried out to preserve the body of the deceased for the afterlife, the mummified animals were presented as a religious offering. It is estimated that in Ancient Egypt some 70 million animals were mummified, then sold at the doors of the temples so that the faithful could deliver them as an offering to the gods.
Now, there is another controversy that is woven around mummified animals. Many studies carried out from the year 2015 (like the one we present in the video below), reveal that many of the animal mummies that were found over the centuries did not actually contain an animal. At least not to a whole animal. Indeed, what many of these mummies contained was partly animal matter, and partly stuffed, such as mud, sticks, feathers, eggshells, and other associated materials. In the video you will see it in greater detail:
The ritual of mummified animals was a business that became very lucrative. Each copy was sold at very high figures. So much so that it is thought that there were even farms where animals were intensively raised for such use and that, given so much demand, the Egyptians did not have time to mummify the animals as required by tradition, so to lighten the work they filled it with all kinds of waste.
Some interesting mummified animals found
gazelle mummy
Among the mummified animals, this rare and peculiar gazelle draws attention. The specimen was carefully bred by an Egyptian queen. She wanted him to accompany her on her journey to the “Afterlife.” So She was mummified with the same care as the queen herself: with blue-edged bandages… He even buried himself in a box with the same shape as his body. Dating from 945 BC
Pieces of meat from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo
We tell you that the mummified animals, although they were subjected to this process mostly for religious reasons, sometimes touched other kinds of motivations. For example, it is known that the Egyptians prepared all kinds of mummified pieces of ducks, ox, ribs, sirloins, oxtail… so that the deceased could enjoy a banquet in the afterlife.
The embalming house of Apis oxen
In the great city of Memphis these animals were sacred, there is still the embalming house for the oxen of Apis, that yes in ruins near Mit Raina. The embalming process of this marvelous animal extended over forty long days. During this time, the dead oxen were left to rest in natron on a stone bed in the courtyard.
Definitely, the custom of mummified animals formed an important part of the culture in ancient egypt. For symbolic, religious, protection reasons and even to prepare a banquet after death, these animals remained as a historical reference from a time loaded with the most powerful symbolism.
And you, Did you know the story of the mummified animals in Egypt? What do you think of this peculiar form of conservation? Go ahead and leave us all your opinions in a comment. And if, like us, you are fascinated by this country with all its historical and cultural magic, don’t miss this selection of the best places to see in egypt. Until next time!