Caracal

The Caracal in Ancient Egypt


 * Egyptian Name:**

//Jnb// or //Ineb//


 * Hieroglyphics:**



The Egyptians did not differentiate between various species of wildcat, or between wild and domesticated cats. Thus the identification of caracals is difficult without careful bone studies. The caracal was associated with the goddesses Mafdet and Pakhet. The feline was mummified, both as a pet and as a sacred creature.

A large, exotic menagerie, the world's first zoo, was excavated in Egypt in 2009. Dating to 3500 B.C.E., among the numerous exotic animals uncovered were the remains of six wildcats. One of the wildcats showed signs of bone fractures that can only have healed in a protected environment.

The Felines of Ancient Egypt