Innovation No. 57 of 77 in the book
The Pet Cemetery
Animals mummified and buried with care
- When
- c. 2280 BCE
- Dynasty
- 6th Dynasty
- Era
- Old Kingdom
The first pet given an honored burial appears in Egypt around 2280 BCE, in the late Old Kingdom: a royal guard dog named Abuwtiyu.
By the king’s own order he was buried with a coffin, fine linen and incense, ‘that he might be honored’ — the oldest recorded pet funeral in history, its inscription found at Giza.
Egyptians grieved their animals and laid them to rest like family, eventually mummifying beloved pets by the thousand.
The pet cemetery, and the pet funeral, began on the Nile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest archaeological evidence for the pet cemetery in ancient Egypt?
The earliest confirmed evidence dates to approximately 2280 BCE during Egypt's Old Kingdom (6th Dynasty). The first pet given an honored burial appears in Egypt around 2280 BCE, in the late Old Kingdom: a royal guard dog named Abuwtiyu.
How did ancient Egyptians develop the pet cemetery, and what is its legacy?
By the king’s own order he was buried with a coffin, fine linen and incense, ‘that he might be honored’ — the oldest recorded pet funeral in history, its inscription found at Giza. By the king’s own order he was buried with a coffin, fine linen and incense, ‘that he might be honored’ — the oldest recorded pet funeral in history, its inscription found at Giza. The pet cemetery, and the pet funeral, began on the Nile.