3,000 years ago, cats were one of the most sacred animals in Ancient Egypt. Whoever killed a cat, even accidentally, was put to death.  

Bast was the cat goddess. She was pictured as a domestic cat and worshipped as their protector. Ancient Egyptians built a great temple for Bast, and it was the site of large festivals that attracted thousands of worshippers.

Near the Temple of the goddess Bast, archaeologists discovered an ancient burial ground for cats containing 300,000 mummified cats and many bronze statues.

© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)