The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities has revealed the discovery of a collection of new animal mummies and related artifacts discovered at the Saqqara Necropolis, to the south of Cairo, this year. The finds include about 100 statues, mostly of Cats, as well as Birds, Bulls, Scarab Beetles, a Mongoose, and several Gods and Goddesses. A large number of animal mummies were also uncovered, including Cats, Cobras, Crocodiles, Scarab Beetles, and three large Felids, two of which have been identified as Lion cubs about a metre in length, and the other three of which are still yet to be identified. This last find is particularly interesting as only one previous Big Cat has been found mummified in Egypt, a partial Lion also found at Saqqara in 2004.
A mummified Lion cub from the Saqqara Necropolis. Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities.
The material also includes 73 statues of the God Osiris, eleven statues of the Lion-headed Goddess Sekhmet, six statues of Ptah-Soker, who was widely venerated by craftsmen, and a statue of the Goddess Neith, who was worshipped as the creator of all things in the city of Sais, capitol of Egypt during the 26th Dynasty (roughly 610-664 BC). The name of the 26th Dynasty Pharoah Psamtik I was also found on at least one artifact, further supporting the idea that these finds came from that period.
Cat mummies from the Saqqara Necropolis. Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities.
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