A cat from Berenice was buried wearing a bronze collar. Photo: P. OSYPINSKA
The ancient Egyptians loved their pets just as much as any current-day cat lady or dog dad. What might be the world’s oldest pet cemetery was uncovered by archaeologists in the early Roman port city Berenice, and contains the remains of nearly 600 clearly much-loved animals that were placed in individual graves, covered by pottery that served as miniature sarcophagi, with adornments including bronze and beaded collars. The 2,000-year-old burials include many four-legged companions that had died of old age or chronic injury, and would have had to be devotedly cared for by their owners.