Mummy of a cat

 

Height: 46.000 cm

EA 37348

Room 62-63: Egyptian mummies

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Animal Mummies

Mummy of a cat

The Egyptians did not worship animals, but they did believe that many of their gods and goddesses each had their own special animal. All cats were considered to belong to the goddess Bastet. People thought that if they left Bastet a gift of a mummified cat in her temple, then she would be pleased, and help them with their problems. Many thousands of cats were killed to make into animal mummies. X-rays often show their necks have been broken.

The careful wrapping of this cat mummy hides the jumble of bones inside. Its head has been covered with a painted clay mask. You can't see the cat's legs as they have been folded across its body which has then been wrapped up.