Baboon skulls ancient Egypt
Recent research indicates that captive baboons in ancient Egypt did not live in royal conditions, despite their association with the gods Thoth and Babi. A study of baboon remains mummified 2500 to 2800 years ago near Luxor suggests that the animals suffered from metabolic diseases and bone deformities, likely due to vitamin D deficiency. It is believed that the baboons were fed an unbalanced diet and kept indoors without sunlight to prevent them from escaping. This mistreatment was not an isolated incident, as similar bone deformations were found in baboon remains mummified elsewhere in Egypt around the same time.
The study sheds light on the mistreatment of animals in ancient civilizations and raises awareness about animal rights, a concept that is still evolving today.
Related: Efforts to revive Thoth, the Syrian bald ibis, in Turkey are underway. According to local legend, the northern bald ibis was one of the first birds released by Noah from the Ark as a symbol of fertility.
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