An Egyptian Menagerie (2019)
The Egyptians are well known for their appreciation of animals. Cats were honored parts of Egyptian culture, frequently mummified along with their human companions. The Cemetery of Animals at the Saqqara site revealed 75 bronze and wood statues of cats. It also contained a limestone sarcophagus dedicated to Bastet, the cat god. Archaeologists also discovered 25 wooden boxes with mummified cats inside. The cemetery revealed wood statues of mongoose, an ibis statue, and mummies of crocodiles, stone, wood, and sandstone scarabs decorated with scenes of the gods. The gods made an appearance in the cemetery as well. They discovered 73 bronze Osiris statutes, six wood statues of Ptah Soker, 11 wood and faience statues of the goddess Sekhmet, and one wood statue of the goddess Neith.