With support from the University of Richmond

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

Social history: mummified cat finds home in museum

EDINBURGH -- Contractors renovating a building in Edinburgh, Scotland, were surprised to find a mummified cat believed about 180 years old under basement floorboards.

In fact, none of the workers would even touch the cat, which has distinct features and its paw resting on its face, The Scotsman reported Tuesday.

DX Network Services Manager Angus Philip said...he is donating his ancient -- and rather dead -- pet to the National Museum of Scotland.

The museum has two other mummified cats in its collection. Its curator told The Scotsman it was common in the 1830s to keep dead animals in buildings to "ward off evil spirits and bring good luck."
Read entire article at UPI