A group of archaeologists in Egypt has found the oldest pet cemetery on the planet. It is a nearly 2,000-year-old cemetery full of animals that were much loved by the Egyptian population, such as cats and monkeys. In fact, according to research carried out by the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, the monkeys wore necklaces made from sea shells, glass and precious stones.
It is no secret that the Egyptians mummified animals to honor the gods. However, this cemetery is completely different. Unlike other mummified animals that were found in other areas (and that had died of starvation or a severe blow) none of the animals found in this cemetery showed signs of violence. In fact, many were old and sick, so they had to be cared for and fed by people.
Also, as Marta Osypińska, a zooarchaeologist at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, argues, most of the animals were buried with great care , as they were placed in a fetal position and wrapped in a blanket. Archaeologists also found a very peculiar case: a macaque monkey buried with three cats, fragments of a pot, pieces of cloth and shells from the Indian Ocean. For this reason, researchers consider that it is not a sacrifice to the gods, but pets.
Discovered by accident
Archaeologists discovered this cemetery, which belongs to the early Roman period of Egypt, by accident. For years, researchers had excavated in the ancient city of Berenice (now known as Medinet-el-Haras) because it was home to numerous remains of Egyptian society.
However, in 2011 researchers began to find skeletons of cats, dogs, and monkeys. They also found the remains of a fox and a hawk. Although these animals had not been mummified, they were placed in makeshift coffins, such as plant leaves or pieces of cloth. In addition, some cats wore iron collars or beads, some very exclusive and valuable.
Some researchers argue that the ancient world did not have the concept of ‘pets’ as we understand it now. However, around 2,000 years ago the seaport of Berenice (located on the western coast of the Red Sea) was a remote and hostile place. Therefore, according to Osypińska, merchants who brought goods to the empire traveled accompanied by dogs, monkeys or cats. This shows that human beings have always had the need to be accompanied by animals.
