Monkey skeletons are discovered at a 2000-year-old animal cemetery, arranged as sleeping children by their Roman and Egyptian owners
- Experts digging at the Red Sea in Egypt found a number of monkey skeletons
- The monkeys were discovered buried in an animal cemetery by the seaport
- The monkeys were found imported from India
- Experts say they were pets of Romans and Egyptians about 2,000 years ago
Monkey skeletons have been discovered in an animal cemetery near the port of Berneice of the Red Sea that experts believe were kept as pets about 2,000 years ago.
The port was used by both Romans and Egyptians who imported the animals from India, because 3D scans and bone comparison revealed that the animals were the same species from those living in the Asian country.
The team found a number of skeletons arranged as sleeping children, decorated with shells and some buried by mummified kittens.
Many of the skeletons were from younger monkeys, which experts say was a result of the animals’ inability to adapt to their new homes and lack of nutrition.
Monkey skeletons have been discovered at an animal cemetery near the port of Berneice on the Red Sea that experts believe were kept as pets about 2,000 years ago
Researchers have been working on this site for more than a decade and during this time have discovered monumental forts, defensive walls and a massive underground complex, as reported by The First News.
The animal cemetery and other ancient artifacts were found by a team from the Center of Mediterranean Archeology of the University of Warsaw, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Delaware.
When the monkey remains were first extracted from what was once an ancient seaport in Egypt, experts thought they belonged to a native species.
However, after a number of tests with 3D scanners and bone comparison, the team determined that the animals from India had made their way to the area.
The port was used by both Romans and Egyptians who imported the animals from India, because 3D scans and bone comparisons revealed that the animals were the same species from those living in the Asian country.
The team found a number of skeletons arranged as sleeping children, decorated with shells and some buried by mummified kittens
Professor Marta Osypińska, a zoologist at the Polish Academy of Sciences, said: ‘We believe that the influential Romans who wanted to spend their time in Berenice, a remote outpost, in the first and second, want to spend time with the company of various animals. ‘
“Among them were monkeys.”
The team believes that these creatures were pets because of how they were buried – in an animal necropolis and arranged as sleeping children
One of the bodies was covered in a woolen cloth and two others had large shells placed through their heads.
Also buried at one of the monkeys was a very young piglet and three mummified kittens.
Research has been working on this site for over a decade and during this time monumental fortresses, defensive walls and a massive underground complex have been discovered.
The seaport was taken from the Egyptians by Roman invaders who used it as a link between Egypt, the Middle East and India. The conquerors used this port as a trading post, as experts discovered a number of preserved goods such as skins and textiles from China and India.
Osypińska said: ‘This is a unique find. To date, no Indian monkeys have been found in the archeological sites in Africa. Interestingly, even ancient written sources do not mention this practice. ‘
The seaport was taken from the Egyptians by Roman invaders who used it as a link between Egypt, the Middle East and India.
The conquerors used this port as a trading post, as experts discovered a number of preserved goods such as skins and textiles from China and India.
The skeletons show that these monkeys traveled thousands of miles away from their homes, which many times resulted in an early death for the animal.
Professor Osypińska said: ‘It was about the animals getting enough food and water during a few weeks cruise across the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
‘Unfortunately, after reaching Berenice, the monkeys could not adapt and they died young. It was probably caused by lack of fresh fruit and other essential nutrients. ‘
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