Donkey reverence in early Egypt

At a funerary complex in Abydos, archaeologists have uncovered the skeletons of 10 donkeys buried with full honors. The bones date from 3000 B.C.

No other animals have ever been found at such sites. Even at the tombs of the kings themselves, the only animals buried alongside were ones full of symbolism like lions. […]

“They were very surprised to find no humans and no funerary goods, and instead to find 10 donkeys,” said Fiona Marshall, a professor of archaeology at Washington University in St. Louis.

“It was just a spectacular discovery,” said Dr. Marshall, one of the few researchers in the world dedicated to understanding the history of donkeys. “It’s not exactly what an Egyptologist would expect to find.”

Eat your heart out, cats! The asses beat you to it.