Monkey

Date3000 BC-400 AD

MediumBone, linen

DimensionsObject/Work: 950 x 470 mm

ClassificationsNatural sciences/Animal/Plant

Terms

Object numberC01297

DescriptionVery small mummified leg and foot of a monkey. The leg is bandaged, but its toes are visible. It was found between the "1st and 2nd cataracts" in Egypt, according to the Cuming manuscript.
"Cataracts" refers to the river Nile and they are places in the river where there are shallows and obstructions. The 1st cataract is at Aswan and the 2nd cataract used to be in Nubia, Egypt’s great neighbour but now submerged by Lake Nasser.

It was originally believed by Cuming to have been the leg of a mummified child, but in actuality it probably belonged to a Green Monkey, Cercopithicus aethiops. These monkeys were very popular as pets in Ancient Egypt and it was not uncommon for pets to be mummified.

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