animals
At Saqqara, site of Djoser Step
pyramid and many of the pyramids, temples and mastabas of the famed 4th Dynasty,
there are burial sites, huge vaults with, it is estimated, millions of animal
mummies entombed.
The animals found here are not just sacred animals, but the beloved pets of
caring Egyptians or pilgrims' votive offerings to the gods that resided at this
religious center.
Some of the most important animals to Ancient Egyptians were the dog and cat.
For millennia, Anubis was the most recognized and remembered of
all the Egyptian Gods. He was frequently displayed on murals in the tombs of the
Pharaohs and today he is even in movies.
Did the Ancient Egyptians have a thing for dogs or was it just an excellent
religious product identity campaign? One of the most popular souvenirs of Egypt
is a replica of a pointy-eared dog's head.
Aided
by the priests, the belief that cats had a strong influence upon things such as
health, marriage, and fortune spread over Egypt quite rapidly. The cat goddess
Bastet, often depicted with a cat's head and a woman's body, was the goddess of
family and life. Bast is often seen holding in her left hand an utchat, an all
seeing cat eye amulet that was believed to have magical powers. The utchat was seen in kitchens, on necklaces, on doors, and many other
places because it was believed to watch over people and served as some sort of
protection.
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