Mummified Cat

Cat mummy with cylindrical body and naturalistic head. The arrangement of the bandages, in geometrical patterns using interlaced dyed strips of material, follows a style which is common in the Ptolemaic and Romano-Egyptian periods and suggests the mummy could be from about the 1st century AD. The mummy was included in the Ancient Egyptian Animal Bio Bank Project (2016) for radiographic analysis (X-ray and CT scanning), specimen no AEABB733. Scans showed the complete and articulated remains of a cat positioned in the classic ‘skittle’ position with the tail folded up between the legs. Pinched squares of linen have been used to create the false ears which are highly resonated and appear to have a bone-like density on the reformats. There is dried brain matter at the rear of the cranium. Pads of linen have been used to create the muzzle, ears and cheeks of the modelled head.