When did Egyptians die their cats? - briefly
Ancient Egyptians dyed their cats as part of ceremonial practices, particularly during the Late Period (664–332 BCE) when cats were revered and often associated with deities like Bastet.
When did Egyptians die their cats? - in detail
The practice of honoring cats in ancient Egypt dates back to at least the Early Dynastic Period (c. 3100–2686 BCE), but it became particularly prominent during the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE). Cats were deeply revered in Egyptian society, associated with the goddess Bastet, who symbolized protection, fertility, and home. Egyptians did not "die" their cats in the modern sense of the word but instead mummified them as part of their religious and cultural practices. The mummification of cats became widespread during the Late Period (c. 664–332 BCE), when the worship of Bastet reached its peak. Cats were often raised in temples dedicated to Bastet, and upon their natural death, they were mummified and offered as votive gifts to the goddess. These mummified cats were buried in large quantities in cat cemeteries, such as those found in Bubastis and Saqqara. The process of mummification involved preserving the cat's body using natron, wrapping it in linen bandages, and sometimes placing it in a decorated sarcophagus. This practice reflected the Egyptians' belief in the afterlife and their desire to honor the divine qualities they attributed to cats. The mummification of cats continued until the Roman Period (c. 30 BCE–395 CE), when the decline of traditional Egyptian religion led to a gradual end of such practices.