Feline mummies as a fertilizer. Criticisms on the destruction of archaeozoological remains during the 19th century

Abstract

A paper, wrote in 1890 by the Egyptologist Gaston Maspero, reveals a pioneer attempt to preserve the animal mummies from ancient Egypt with the purpose of expanding our knowledge on the former and present-day faunas of the Nile Valley. That request to enhance our historical understanding of the past from the standpoint of the animals was innovative at a time when the prevailing historical currents focused on human mummies and so-called “valuable” re- mains. The approach represents the earliest instance of a scientific shift to obtain information on the complex and intimate relationships developed in ancient Egypt between humans and animals.