Sacred Baboons in Ancient Egypt Suffered in Captivity, Study Finds

The revered animals showed signs of malnutrition and severe vitamin D deficiency, suggesting they were kept in poor conditions.

A new study reveals that sacred baboons in ancient Egypt were kept in captivity and suffered from poor conditions, including malnutrition and lack of sunlight.
The study examined the skeletons of 36 mummified baboons from an animal necropolis in southern Egypt, dating between the ninth century B.C. and the fourth century A.D.
Most of the baboons showed skeletal deficiencies, with deformations typical of rickets, a symptom of extreme vitamin D deficiency usually caused by a lack of sunlight.
Baboons were revered in ancient Egypt, associated with Thoth, the god of wisdom, and were often depicted in art as helpers to the gods.
Further research is being conducted on the baboons' teeth and potential DNA extraction to learn more about their diet and origins.