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One of the most popular cults to arise in Late Period Egypt
was of the cat goddess Bast. At this time many thousands
of Cats were mummified for sale to pilgrims, who presented them
to the goddess as an offering.
X-rays show that the cats were often killed by having their necks
broken. The bodies were then dried out using Natron
salt, this process was similar to that used for human
mummification.
They were then elaborately wrapped with the forelegs lying down
the front and the hind legs drawn up beside the pelvis.
The example shown here is from the collection of the British
Museum. It illustrated well the elaborate standard of wrapping
which was used on these sacred offerings.
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