The Cat in Ancient Egypt

The Egyptian cat was a fortunate creature. Petted in the home it was also revered as the manifestation of a goddess and sometimes even mummified in preparation for the afterlife. This book shows that wild cats were probably not domesticated before the New Kingdom when cats first appear in tomb paintings of family life. In religon cats were initially respected for their ability to destroy snakes and reproductions of cats are found on ivory wands from about 2000 BC. Gradually they became associated with the sun-god and his goddess daughters Mut at Thebes, Pakhet at Beni Hasar and in particular Bastet in Bubastis. In the Late Period large numbers of mummified cats were buried in large underground tombs, and bronze statuettes would be dedicated to the temple during religious festivals. Illustrating his text with representations of cats in tomb paintings, sculpture, papyri, mummies and coffins, the author conveys the affection and respect in which cats were held in Ancient Egypt. Other work by the author includes "In the Shadow of the Pyramids" and "Atlas of Ancient Egypt".