I have heard different opinions on weather or not ferrets were domesticated
in ancient Egypt.  Well, I may shed some light on this subject.  My father
was vacationing in Egypt.  The egyptology musem in Cairo has mummified
remains of ferrets and meercats (a kind of mongoose native to Africa).
These are among only the most ancient of animal mummies found dating about
3700 to 4300 years BC!  Also there are paintings of a ferret type creature
guarding the granarys of three cities in upper Egypt.  This includes the
old capitol of thebes, but no evidence has ever been found in Alexandria
lower Egypt.  It is thought that cats replaced these early ferrets.  It is
thought the main reason for this is their intolerance for extreme heat.  It
is possible either the ferret or the meercat may have been worshiped in
upper Egypt at this time, but no solid proof exists.  When he sends the
pictures he took, I'll put them on my sight.  Very few of these mummies
still exist because the were used to feed the furnaces of locomotives in
the late 1800's.  I of course am only pasing on information given to me.  I
cant personally conferm or deny this with my own research, but this would
mean ferrets were domesticated about 1200 years before cats were!
 
                               DOOKS!
REN(me), SLINKY, RIKKI, TAZZY, & LONG SHORT SALLY
 
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[Posted in FML issue 2741]