Cats in Ancient Egypt: From Pest Control to Deity

The domesticated feline has a rich and ancient history, starting a hundred thousand years ago in Mesopotamia where cats were used in farming to control pests like mice. However, ancient Egypt notably took the image of the domesticated agrarian feline and transferred it to the status of godly worship; it is even stated in historical texts that “the Egyptians cared so much for their cats that they placed their safety above human life and property” (Mark). Furthermore, the ancient Egyptians believed cats to be “magical creatures, capable of bringing good luck to the people who housed them” which is the main reason for the proclaimed demi-god status of the cat (Napoli). The ancient Egyptians associated many connotations with the cat, mainly stating cats to being embodiment

Cats were often taken to the city of Busbastis to be buried in Bastet’s sacred temple. However, mummified cats have also been found in the cities of Giza, Abydos, Denderah and Beni Hasan. Moreover, it was proper for a family to shave their eyebrows, as a sign of mourning, when their house cat passed away (Hill). When the eyebrows grew back, the mourning period was considered formally over (Mark). Much like humans, the deceased feline would then go through the process of mummification. The body was embalmed and “treated with cedar oil and such spices as to have the quality of imparting a pleasant odour and of preserving the body for a long time” (Hill). Finally, the body was wrapped in fine linen and placed in the burial chamber with provisions including milk, mice, and rats. The Egyptians believed that after death your soul continued to thrive. So, it was important to place the essential necessities within the tomb to be used later in the afterlife, and for cats, this included the above mentioned milk, mice and rats needed for subsistence