EVEN IN DEATH, EGYPTIAN BIRDS WERE FED

By Jennifer Viegas

The discovery gives clues to how ancient Egyptians viewed the importance of animals and their role in the afterlife.

Ancient Egyptians placed food in the mouths or stomachs of animal mummies, suggesting that animals were treated equally to humans in death and perhaps also in life.

In this case the mummies were sacred ibis birds In a study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, the findings are the first known examples of food placed directly in animal mummies. The primary organs were also removed, as was the practice for humans. It’s thought that the ancient Egyptians wished to preserve these organs for continued function in the afterlife.

Read on:  http://news.discovery.com/history/ancient-egyptians-animal-mummies-120127.html