Whole Lion Skeleton Uncovered in Tomb
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
French scientists have found the first complete skeleton of a lion in a tomb in the Nile valley -- a discovery they say confirms the lion’s sacred status in ancient Egypt. The adult male skeleton that was buried about 2,000 years ago was unearthed at Saqqara. It was near the entrance to the tomb of King Tutankhamen’s wet nurse, they reported in the Jan. 15 issue of Nature.
The lion was mummified and buried among the cat catacombs that were created in the last century BC at a site dedicated to the feline goddess Bastet.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
