Egypt's cat worship also included brutal wounds and disease
Ancient Egyptians revered cats, seeing them as animals associated with powerful deities, especially Bastet, the feline-headed goddess of protection. But life wasn’t exactly peachy for cats in Egypt
One ancient Egyptian cat survived a blow to the head that left a deep scar in its skull. Another had puncture wounds that appeared to match the teeth of a much larger feline. Others suffered broken bones, infections, and missing teeth
And these weren’t simply beloved pets. Their remains came from a cemetery of animals mummified as sacred offerings to the gods
Now, a new study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science suggests that some of ancient Egypt’s revered cats may have lived remarkably difficult lives. Far from being pampered, they may have endured cramped conditions, fights with other cats, disease, and sometimes deliberate violence at human hands
In fact, Egypt’s worship of cats may have prompted a dark cat-farming industry, with some fairly grim pra