Cats were important to the Ancient Egyptians. To learn more about the role cats played in Ancient Egypt.

1. By Alex Li
Inquiry Project

2. Ancient Egyptians had a really big problem with rats
and other creatures that ate their grains. They learned
about the wild cats that supposedly hunted these vermin so
they began to leave food like fish heads out to tempt the
cats to visit regularly. The cats were fine with this, as there
were usually more foods around the settlements, and
protection from predators. Eventually they were welcomed
indoors and moved into human homes, rearing their
kittens there too.

3.  Egyptians did not distinguish between wild and
domesticated cats, both types were called “Miu" or
“Miut" often translated as “He or she who mews“.
 The cats hunted with them, which is impressive
because usually cats like to be alone
and are really stubborn.
 Most cats didn’t get a name, some
exceptions are ‘Nedjem’ (“Sweetie”)
and another named ‘Tai Miuwette’
(“The little mewer”).

4.  Cats were so honored, killing one, whether on
purpose or by accident was punishable by death. A
Roman was punished too, even though he wasn’t
Egyptian.
 Exporting a cat out of Egypt to other countries was
illegal, but it happened a lot. Armies would have
been sent out to retrieve the cat.
 It was recorded that the Persians used the Egyptians
love of cats against them by capturing them and
putting the cats on the battlefield. The Egyptians
surrendered because they didn’t want their cats to be
hurt.

5.  There were 2 main breeds native to Ancient Egypt.
 One was the Jungle Cat (Felis Chaus).
 The other was the African wildcat (Felis silvestris
lybica).

6. A Section

7.  In the 17th chapter of The Book of the Dead, Ra
takes on the form of a cat simply called ‘Mau’,
which means cat. In this form he defeated the
serpent Apep.

8.  Also known as Bast.
 Represented as a Women with a Cat’s head. She
originally had the head of a lion or desert sand-cat.
 She personified the gentle protectiveness of a cat
but also the power of a lioness.
 Worshipped all over Lower Egypt.
 Ancient Egyptians honored cats because
the belief was that cats were the
incarnations of Bastet.
 Also goddess of cats, the home, fire,
sunrise, music, dance, pleasure as well as
sexuality, fertility, family, pregnant women
& children.

9. Another section

10.  They killed rats and other vermin that stole grains.
 They were the incarnations of Bastet.
 They could be offerings to Bastet.
 They were great pets.
 Seeing them in your dream could be a sign of
good harvest.
 They helped hunt.

11.  When a cat died, the human family would go into deep
mourning and shave their eyebrows off.
 The cat would be mummified.
 They would be buried with provisions such as mice,
milk, or rats.
 Most cats were buried in Bubastis.
 Others were found in Giza, Abydos, Denderah and
Beni Hasan.
 One tomb had an estimated 80,000 burials.

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