Mummified puppies
When we think about Egypt, the first thing that comes to mind is probably: the desert, the Pyramids, and… the mummies.
We know that the ancient Egyptians embalmed and wrapped the deceased, resulting in what we call ‘Mummies’ in today’s language. They believed that by mummifying the deceased, it would ensure a safe passage to the after life.
The first mummy was discovered in the year 1745. While it’s a known fact that the ancient Egyptians often had animals buried with them, may it be their beloved pet or as part of a religious ritual, these mummified animals were not well documented. However, the discovery of 8 MILLION mummified dogs in the sacred tunnels under the Egyptian desert has placed mummified dogs in the limelight.
The 8 million dogs found in the catacombs may have been offerings to the gods.
According to Egyptologists, these animals may not be strictly sacrificial, instead it was an act of piousness by dedicating the animal mummy to the canine-headed god, Anubis, one of the most important gods of the dead.
The underground complex was built 2500 years ago under the Saqqara desert. The maze-like Dog catacombs hold dogs of “all shapes and sizes, all ages, from fetal to mature”. Piles of decomposing animal mummies are evidence of ancient Egyptian pilgrims’ fierce desire to be heard by Anubis.
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According to archaeologist Salima Ikram, such practice is very much the same as what we have today. While people of today light candles and incense as offerings to a superior being, people of ancient Egypt offered mummified dogs, hoping it would carry a person’s prayer to the afterlife. And because the offering was the same species as the god, the mummified dog would have special access to Anubis’ ear, thus creating a sort of direct line to the god.
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Taking a closer look at a mummified dog in a special niche in the catacombs – one likely commensurate with an honored role in real life. A number of older, male dogs that might have lived in the nearby Temple of Anubis were mummified with far more care than the rest. Archaeologists think that these might have been the actual sacred dogs that were the manifestation of Anubis on Earth.
Strangely, a small number of cat mummies were also found in the Dog Catacomb. Perhaps the felines had taken residence in the Temple and became sacred by association, or maybe they were fakes, mummified at some point in time when dogs were short in number.
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Some of the dogs are killed and mummified just days or even hours after birth. With the need to mummify so many animals, perhaps thousands per year, it is likely the animals were bred in puppy farms dotted around the ancient capital of Memphis.
8 million mummified dogs of all ages and sizes… the sheer number of dogs would either amaze a person or make one grieve. Fast forward 2500 years later, and the killings have not stopped. Although the purpose has changed, but no matter what the reason may be, the karma that comes with taking a life is always the same. There seems to be no decrease in the ‘trend’ of animal killing throughout the years, even though we’ve reached such a modern level of civilization. In fact, it is no surprise if there’s actually an increase in the killing, a very sad but true fact.
Puppy mills are still existent and at large today. People buying pets from puppy mills have encouraged this activity and are a direct cause for the decrease of ‘good homes’ for the dogs that are saved from the streets. Thus, the increase of puppy mills causes the increase of stray dogs, leading to the increase of dogs in the pound and euthanized dogs. It is all interconnected. The next time you see a puppy in the pet store, do think about where he/she came from before you bring them home…
Tsem Rinpoche
A discovery of 8million mummified dogs were found in dugup catacombs, specially made for the offerings of same to the Gods of old Egypt by Egyptologists. One of these gods was known as Anubis, the canine-headed god, the most important of all the gods in old Egypt for the dead. According to archaecologists, the practice seemed the very much the same as what modern people do today, i.e. lighting up candles, incense to accompany the offerings of slaughtered animals of all ages and sizes to the gods of their belief in accordance to their customs and faith. Stangely, in this case, they found a small number of mummified cats amongst the dogs in the catacomb. It was assumed could be a fake-up to make up the insufficiency of the shortages of the mummified dogs in number. Karmically, can anyone imagine the amount of negative karma had been caused in such killings, and done through the years of offerings till today without decrease it seems; a sad horrific truth of animal cruelty!!! OM MANI PADME HUM.
This is slightly creepy. But I can believe the theory that the dogs were killed as sacrifices to Anubis, in the belief that they would carry the prayers to him. How sick. Yet how plausible.
I have always been interested in Ancient Egyptian civilization and history. I used to read about the different gods, pyramids, cleopatra, legend of King Tut etc…. This is the first time I have heard of mummified dogs as offerings though. But I can believe it from a race of people who bury their slaves alive so that they can serve the pharoahs in the afterlife.
Horrible.
8 Million lives taken and mummified, that is soo much life taken for what purpose we may never know yet as was said in the article there is still karma of killing and thats a lot of karma.
They say the first life to take is the hardest then it becomes easier, 7,999,999 million more to be exact.
Yup, if they know about Karma….8 million of lives been taken away for something which has no promise or guarantee, oh my Buddha…
Whether the deceased able to receive the blessing and protection from their god is another question too, but for sure the people who involve in it created a very heavy negative karma.
Same as building a Buddhist temple, creating large Buddha images etc, people who are involve in creating will create tremendous among of good Karma and merits.
We are very fortunate to have all 13 departments ready for us do get involve and collect merits.
I kind of feel its odd to sacrifice animals that are similar to one’s deity to please them. I mean the Hindu’s don’t eat cows or kill them to please their gods. Its quite an odd concept to me what the ancient Egyptians practised to please their Gods. If I was a God that looked like dog and my worshippers killed dogs I’d be offended and strike down my mortal worshippers.
Puppy mills are really an abomination, if one really must have pets please check out the animals who will be put down by the SPCA’s in your area. There are many animals who need your love.
Wow this is a very interesting read! 8 million mummified dogs? This is the first time I’ve seen proven evidences of mummified animals. Never occurred to me before about mummified animals. Egypitian history is indeed very interesting.
The act of offering mummified dogs to Anubis is translated even to today’s society, where the Chinese offers Roast pigs and whole chickens as a symbol of ‘giving the best’ to the supreme being. Although the subject is different, the act is the same – a lost life; so I don’t see it as a surprise that the ancient Egyptians used this as an offering. What’s the difference? Ultimately, it’s a life that is offered.
8 millions dog are sacrificed just for a god ? someone must made a very very huge wish… I have no much idea about Egypt but their mommies is world famous. In the most ancient world or city, people used to have sacrificed ceremony, but obviously their wishes did not come true, if not the ancient Egypt will not faced any downfall.