Dozens of cat mummies were found in Egypt – Photo: GETTY IMAGES

The Egyptian Minister of Archaeology, Khaled El-Enany, has just announced this information after a study carried out since April.

Of the 7 tombs excavated, 3 were dedicated to cats with more than 10 mummies. Of the 4 remaining tombs, 1 cannot be opened. Cats were an important part of ancient Egyptian culture. Therefore, this animal is usually mummified as an object of religious worship.

Among the cat mummies, archaeologists found 100 gilded wooden cat statues and 1 bronze cat statue depicting the appearance of the cat god Bastet.

Mostafa Waziri, head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that during the excavation, archaeologists also discovered the first mummified scarab in this area.

Two mummies were also found in a rectangular limestone sarcophagus with a lid decorated with three drawings of scarabs.

The remaining scarab mummies are found in a smaller sarcophagus. “This set of mummies is unique, very rare,” Mr Waziri said.

The first group of mummified beetles was discovered in the area – Photo: GETTY IMAGES

A rare bronze cat statue has just been found – Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Cats were an important part of ancient Egyptian culture. Therefore, this animal is usually mummified as an object of religious worship.

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