Why did the Egyptians mummify animals?
One of the most popular misconceptions about ancient Egyptians is that they worshiped animals such as cats, dogs, and birds. Some animals, such as the Apis bull, may have been sacred, but the majority were not. Instead, as in many religions, animals symbolized certain gods and—just like figurines of animals in bronze, terracotta, faience, or other materials—their mummies served as votive offerings to those gods.