When it comes to cats, the ancient Egyptians were hipsters. 2,500 years before Keyboard Cat, Nyan Cat and Grumpy Cat became Internet sensations and created a cult of feline love in the west, wealthy Egyptians loved their four-legged mammals so much that they bestowed upon them their culture’s most sacred death rite: mummification. 

Now, the ROM is showcasing one of its unique cat mummies as a part of its popular ancient Egyptian exhibit. What’s unique about this mummy is that its death mask is missing, allowing visitors to gaze at a face that likely saw the Pyramids in their original splendour.  

Parents potentially interested in taking their children to the exhibit should do so on June 2, as kids will be able to make their own Egyptian cat masks, and the exhibit’s curator, Amyn Adatia, will be on hand to engage with visitors. 

The mummy is said to be on display for only a short while. 

Additional photos of the mummy can be found on the ROM’s tumblr blog. 

[via ROM Kids Tumblr]

(NB: Please excuse the excessive use of any cat-related puns in this piece. It had to be done.)

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