Egyptian Animals and Animal Mummification

The Ancient Egyptians kept many animals as household pets, including various birds, cats, dogs, monkeys, baboons, and even mongooses.  Some animals, like monkeys, were kept for entertainment, while the others (such as dogs, and raptors like hawks and falcons) to help people hunt for food.  It appears that ancient Egyptians greatly treasured these pet animals, as in the tomb paintings the animals and owners are often depicted together.  Even the pets were mummified along with their owners and placed in the same tomb, so they could join their masters afterlife.

Ancient Egyptians also believed that animals were sacred and they were embodiment of their gods. Often times, when animals died, their bodies were mummified in the similar ways as human mummification procedure and were buried in the temples to honor their gods.  Sometimes an animal was even killed for the sole purpose of presenting it to the gods, for the act of offering its body to the honored gods was considered sacred by ancient Egyptians.

It is no miracle that the mummified animals are still remaining to this day: the embalmment techniques used on the animal mummification by ancient Egyptian are believed to be about as sophisticated as procedures performed on regular human mummification. The chemical analysis by the experts show that in order to prevent decays in hot climate, they first drained out water by separating the organs and treating the body with sea salt.  Then, they applied natural products such as animal fats, beeswax, sugar gum, bitumen, and tree resins, before wrapping it with linen bandages. 

Various sorts of mummified animals have been discovered up to this date, including aforementioned pet animals such cats, monkeys, dogs, and birds. Even mummified alligators, lizards, fish, and beetles have been found. 

Mummified vulture, pictured here, is currently being showcased at Sadigh Gallery as one of our featured collections.  It is an extremely rare piece, with its wings outstretched and covered with linen. Sadigh Gallery acquired this valuable piece from a private collection.  It comes mounted in a wooden box frame with a removable acrylic cover.

The vulture was typically associated with the goddess Nekhebet who was the patroness of the city of El-Kab in Upper Egypt. The vulture was also an important symbol of the goddess Mut.  The bird was often believed to be feminine symbol, as people observed its maternal characteristics in protecting its young and its close bonding with its mate.  Pairing, bonding, protecting, loving are essential attributes associated with a vulture.

Some other animal mummies that are present at Sadigh Gallery Ancient Art include falcons and cats.  For any details on these animals, please contact the gallery or refer to our website www.sadighgallery.com.