Nothing is as compelling - indeed, strangely poignant - as the real mummified animals, however (Johnson).

Among the domestic creatures are avid-looking bronze cats, one of which was made to hold a mummified animal, and wooden cows meant to accompany a burial.

It is thought that the mummified animals, mostly dogs, were intended to pass on prayers of their owners to their Gods.

King Tutankhamen's tomb held several coffin shaped wooden boxes containing this type of mummified animal, in his case duck and other types of meat.

Literally millions of these mummified animals have been discovered throughout Egypt.

Twenty-three human mummies are on display as well as many mummified animals.

On display are the well-preserved mummy of a 21st-dynasty high priest of Amun, Maserharti, and a host of mummified animals.

He reached under his chair and emerged with something wrapped in protective film, like a small mummified animal.

While at Saqqara he made the significant discovery of a "zoo" of mummified animal remains.

Add to that the number of mummified animals including cats, bulls and crocodiles, and the number drastically rises.