guy Posted March 7, 2021 Report Share Posted March 7, 2021 (edited) When the site at the ancient Roman port city of Berenice, Egypt was initially discovered, it was thought that the original 100 animal bodies found were merely discarded, possibly sacrificed. A further investigation of a total of nearly 600 bodies suggests that they we were buried with care (and not sacrificed) during the first century AD of the early Roman era. Quote Of the 585 animal remains, more than 90% were cats (many with iron collars or necklaces made with glass and shells), with dogs making up 5%, and the rest being baboons and two species of macaques native to the Indian subcontinent. Quote In 2017, her team announced the discovery of 100 animals (mainly cats), but the exact nature of the bone assemblages was unclear, thought possibly to simply be discarded rubbish at the time. New studies suggest that these animals were actually treasured pets, instead. Interesting brief podcast https://www.sciencemag.org/podcast/world-s-oldest-pet-cemetery-and-how-eyeless-worms-can-see-color https://www.heritagedaily.com/2021/03/almost-600-cats-and-dogs-excavated-in-ancient-pet-cemetery/137451 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00438243.2020.1870545 Summary: Further study has discovered nearly 600 animal remains. They were examined by veterinarians. It has been determined that these animals were buried with care. The reasons these animal remains are now thought to be "pets:" There was no evidence of sacrifices, no evidence of mummies (which would suggest religious sacrifice) The animals were buried when they died and were not killed Some of the animals had fractures that were sheltered and allowed to heal. Some animals were nearly toothless, suggesting human feedings with a special diet The animals appeared to be buried individually. The animals were buried gently in a "sleep like" position Some animals are buried with textiles and even collars One dog lived to about ten years Unfortunately, the Egyptian authorities are reluctant to allow these bodies to be more closely examined: DNA studies for more exact breed identification, bone analysis for diet and health investigations, etc. guy also known as gaius Below is an animal buried with ceramic shards, possibly as a sarcophagus. Edited October 14, 2021 by guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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