Mummified lion cubs (2019)
Archaeologists digging in the city of Saqqara had a ‘first of its kind’ surprise, encountering two mummified lion cubs, dating back 2,600 years. The cubs were found in a temple with about 20 cat mummies, along with the mummies of three other large cats of undetermined species. Overlooking this cat-filled tomb were roughly 100 painted and gilded metal, wood, or stone (mostly) cat statutes along with a statue of the goddess Neith, patron goddess of Egypt’s 26th dynasty capital, Sais. The prevalence of cats in this area of the city indicates the ancient Egyptians paid particular honor to Bastet, the goddess who took on a cat form, and her son, the lion god Miysis.