Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-14
SACRED ANIMALS IN OLD EGYPT.
Many of tho Creatures Embalmed and Put
In Catacombs by the Ancients.

Many of the Creatures Embaimed ana Iut
In Catacombs by the Ancients.
Not only did the ancient Egyptians en-
balm the bodies of the human dead. They
performed a like operation upon the re-
mains of the sacred animals, though in
general less expense and trouble were tax
en- over them, animals being chiefly pre-
pared by soaking in natron. The list OF
sacred animals is a long one, though the
very ones that were most highly esteemed
IN some places were most abhorred in 9th
ers The list includes dogs, cats, monkeys,
lions, wolves, jackals, foxes, hyenas, bears,
Icheumon, shrew mice, bulls, deer, goats,
rheep, hippopotami, vultures, eagles, fall
cons, hawks, owls, ibis, geese, swallows,
crocodiles, toads, lizards, serpents, fish OF
various kinds, rats, mice, beetles and even
insects and flies. As rule, with the large
animals the head only was mummied, the
body being represented by pieces OF wood.
The birds arc squeezed together and lose
their shape except the ibis, which, ac-
cording to Belzoni, is formed like fowl
ready to he cooked. The ibis and hawk
appear to have had the most care bestow-
ed upon them, for rosin and asphalt are
frequently found within their envelopes.
Birds in general, having been wrapped in
their bandages, were then placed in an
earthen urn and deposited in the tomb.
No mummies of animals are to be met
with in the tombs of the higher class per
sons. Most of them had their own proper
sepulchers consecrated and appropriated
to their species only, but they were occa-
sionally found mixed.
The catacomb of birds is distinct from
the catacomb of human mummies. One
bird only is inclosed in each earthen pot,
and an infinite number of potu We're found
in good order, whole and gealcd. The hot
nature of the materials with which they
had been embalmed had, however, dried
up the greater number to powder. Upon
the possession of Egypt by the French up
ward of 500 mummies of the ibis alone
were discovered in the catacomb of birds.
Certain animals were maintained at the
public expense in sacred parks, and peO-
pie were appointed to nourish them with
the greatest care. Bread, milk, honey,
meat, birds, fish, etc., were all supplied
according to the nature of the animals.
No expense was spared. The keepers bore
upon their persons the resemblance of the
species to which their care was devoted,
and people paid remarks of respect to them
as they passed along. The greatest sor-
row was manifested at the death of any OF
them They were embalmed and inferred
with great pomp and splendor. So great
was the veneration in which these animals
were held that, though when famine af-
hicted Egypt the people were driven to eat
human flesh. yet the sacred beasts, birds,
reptiles or fishes were always respected.
They would rather eat their own species
than lay sacrilcgious hands upon what
might be gods in disguise. Animals OF
the lowest character, even noxious insects,
were fostered in their temples, nourished
by their priests, embalmed after death,
entombed with pomp and received all kinds
. of honors. Those who, either by accident
or design, oceasioned the death of any OF
these animals paid the forfeit of their lives
us the penalty of the offense. Diodorus
Siculus says: size who has voluntarily
killed consecrated animal is punishable
with death, but il any one has even invol-
unfairly killed cat or an ibis it is impos-
siblc for him to escape capital punish
ment. The mob drags him to it, treating
him with every cruelty and sometimes
without waiting for Judgment to be pass.
cd."-London Society.