Animal mummies
The Egyptians mummified animals as well as humans. Some animals were pets buried with their owner in a tomb, but most were preserved for religious reasons and buried in animal cemeteries. Almost every kind of animal that lived in ancient Egypt has been found as a mummy - from bulls, birds, snakes and crocodiles to fish, cats and scarab beetles.
Many animals were seen as manifestations of gods. These animals appeared to share similar qualities with certain gods so were considered sacred. In the later periods, many sacred animals were specifically bred so they could be mummified and sold to the public as offerings to the gods.
