In ancient Egypt, baboons were revered as personifications of Thoth, god of the Moon and wisdom, as well as advisors to Ra, god of the Sun.
From about the 9th century BC. As far back as the 4th century BC, Ancient Egyptians created mummies of various animals for religious purposes. These were, for example, crocodiles, bulls, cats and baboons. These sacred animals were celebrated, but throughout their lives they suffered from bone diseases caused by poor conditions in captivity, malnutrition and lack of sunlight, according to a study of 36 baboon mummies ranging in age from 2,500 to 2,800 years. The results of the new study were published in the journal PLOS ONE, LiveScience writes.
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According to scientists, baboons were revered as the personification of Thoth, the god of the moon and wisdom, as well as advisors to the sun god Ra. But of all the animals sacred to the ancient Egyptians, baboons were brought from other parts of Africa because they were not a primate species native to Egypt. Therefore, they were kept in captivity and, as research has shown, in very poor conditions.
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Scientists examined 36 baboon mummies discovered on the east bank of the Nile River near Luxor in southern Egypt. The mummies were created between 800 and 500 BC. As a study of baboon remains showed, only four of them were healthy, and the rest had severe skeletal defects.
There was damage, deformation and other abnormalities in the bones; This suggested that the baboons were suffering from lack of sunlight and malnutrition while in captivity.
According to scientists, the deformations seen in the bones are a typical example of rickets, a disease caused by chronic vitamin D deficiency. This may be because there is very little sunlight where the monkeys live. is retained and also indicates malnutrition of animals. Baboons can be called “good climbers” and therefore, according to scientists, the monkeys were kept in rooms or enclosures with very high walls through which very little light penetrated.
Scientists also found fracture marks on the bones, indicating that the baboons had been severely beaten. When these animals died, they were turned into mummies.
Studying the mummies gave scientists insight into how these long-distance animals were treated and preserved before they were mummified. But research continues to find out exactly what baboons eat in captivity.
DNA extracted from animal bones will help determine exactly where baboons were introduced to Ancient Egypt. Although preliminary analysis suggests that they may have been introduced from areas where the countries to the south of Egypt are now located: Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan. Although it is possible that some baboons brought from other parts of Africa were subsequently bred specifically in captivity.
Although life was clearly difficult for sacred baboons in captivity, scientists believe the ancient Egyptians had good intentions. They probably tried to take good care of the baboons, but it must not have been easy.
As I already wrote FocusMummified frogs were buried with ancient Egyptians 3,000 years ago, and historians have explained why. Ancient Egyptians had some pretty unusual beliefs, and one of them had to do with frogs.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.