DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6553#0139
APPENDIX.
89
to insure the increase of the flocks, and that they had heen depo-
sited in these places on account of the sanctity of the tombs.
Under other heaps of sand, at no great distance from the
former, together with jars containing esigs, a quantity of sea sand,
and of ashes had been placed, and also small parcels of natron
tied up in linen: natron is also found in the tombs.
At D is the entrance to other catacombs. They also consist
of galleries, on each side of which the bones of oxen are placed
in wrappers, with the heads upon them : the remains, probably,
of sacrifices, which seems to correspond with the account given
by Herodotus.8
The entrance to the catacombs, where the mummies of dogs
were deposited, is marked by E, but most of them had been
destroyed apparently by fire, which, upon the authority of Plu-
tarch, Mr. Perring supposes to have taken place in consequence
of the sacrilegious attack made by the dogs on the entrails of the
bull Apis, after he was slain by Cambyses.
The catacomb containing the mummies of cats is at II in the
Map, and many fragments of them were scattered about the
entrance. The cats were sacred to Bubastes (the Diana of Mem-
phis), and their remains were consequently preserved with great
care. These mummies are covered with fur, well preserved,
and of a red colour — the effect, probably, of the embalmment.
Bronze images of cats were found in the bandages, which had
been very carefully applied. This Mr. Perring considers to agree
with the antient account of the high estimation, in which these
animals Mere held. He adds, that, as their mummies are to be
found at this place, at Thebes, and at Beni Hassan, the account
of Herodotus, which states that they were only entombed at
Bubastes, is not to be trusted.
8 Mr. Perring observes, that in the sands at this place the bones of sheep
were found intermixed with those belonging to oxen, but that the remains of
those animals were not found in the catacombs; and he conceives that this
agrees with the tradition that sheep were not held in peculiar adoration at
Memphis. He adds, that the heads of sheep are found in almost every
mummy-pit, and he supposes that the heads of the animals killed for food
were so disposed of, because Herodotus says that the inhabitants did not eat
them, and because it was not likely that the Egyptians would defile the
sacred waters of the Nile (the only fresh water in the country) by throwing
into them the heads of slaughtered animals, professedly held to be unclean,
fhe imprecations stated by Herodotus to have been pronounced upon the
heads of animals, in Mr. Perring's opinion, applied only to those, which had
been sacrificed.
89
to insure the increase of the flocks, and that they had heen depo-
sited in these places on account of the sanctity of the tombs.
Under other heaps of sand, at no great distance from the
former, together with jars containing esigs, a quantity of sea sand,
and of ashes had been placed, and also small parcels of natron
tied up in linen: natron is also found in the tombs.
At D is the entrance to other catacombs. They also consist
of galleries, on each side of which the bones of oxen are placed
in wrappers, with the heads upon them : the remains, probably,
of sacrifices, which seems to correspond with the account given
by Herodotus.8
The entrance to the catacombs, where the mummies of dogs
were deposited, is marked by E, but most of them had been
destroyed apparently by fire, which, upon the authority of Plu-
tarch, Mr. Perring supposes to have taken place in consequence
of the sacrilegious attack made by the dogs on the entrails of the
bull Apis, after he was slain by Cambyses.
The catacomb containing the mummies of cats is at II in the
Map, and many fragments of them were scattered about the
entrance. The cats were sacred to Bubastes (the Diana of Mem-
phis), and their remains were consequently preserved with great
care. These mummies are covered with fur, well preserved,
and of a red colour — the effect, probably, of the embalmment.
Bronze images of cats were found in the bandages, which had
been very carefully applied. This Mr. Perring considers to agree
with the antient account of the high estimation, in which these
animals Mere held. He adds, that, as their mummies are to be
found at this place, at Thebes, and at Beni Hassan, the account
of Herodotus, which states that they were only entombed at
Bubastes, is not to be trusted.
8 Mr. Perring observes, that in the sands at this place the bones of sheep
were found intermixed with those belonging to oxen, but that the remains of
those animals were not found in the catacombs; and he conceives that this
agrees with the tradition that sheep were not held in peculiar adoration at
Memphis. He adds, that the heads of sheep are found in almost every
mummy-pit, and he supposes that the heads of the animals killed for food
were so disposed of, because Herodotus says that the inhabitants did not eat
them, and because it was not likely that the Egyptians would defile the
sacred waters of the Nile (the only fresh water in the country) by throwing
into them the heads of slaughtered animals, professedly held to be unclean,
fhe imprecations stated by Herodotus to have been pronounced upon the
heads of animals, in Mr. Perring's opinion, applied only to those, which had
been sacrificed.