The term “Mozart Effect” refers to the idea that listening to Mozart can improve mental performance.

Popular articles and productivity guides often recommend Mozart and other classical music as helpful for concentration and study.

Recent experimental research in clinical and cognitive settings has produced mixed results regarding cognitive benefits from listening to classical music.

An initial MEM-COG study published in 2023 found that background classical music neither improved nor impaired learning in people with mild cognitive impairment, but that high-arousal music produced possible benefits for individuals who regularly use music as an emotional regulator.

In the MEM-COG experiments, participants memorized and later recognized photographs of faces, and no significant performance differences were observed when classical music was played during consolidation or during both consolidation and recovery phases.

Researchers from the MEM-COG team concluded there is no universal effect of background classical music on learning and that any benefits are likely modulated by individual differences and habitual use of music.

Neuroscience research indicates one plausible mechanism for music-related cognitive changes is activation of the brain’s reward system, which can motivate learning and support prediction-based learning processes.

Separate studies report that active music-making, especially playing an instrument like the piano, is associated with better memory, improved executive function, and structural brain changes such as increased grey matter that may support cognitive reserve.

A study that taught previously non-musical adults to play piano for 11 weeks reported improvements in multisensory processing and reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress compared with passive listening controls.

Practical guidance in the reviewed articles notes that familiarity with the music, individual preference, and using instrumental pieces without lyrics influence whether background music aids concentration.

Overall, the provided documents show mixed empirical support for a general Mozart Effect on cognition, while highlighting consistent potential benefits from active music-making and context-dependent effects of listening.

Conclusion: Based on the provided documents, there is not universal, consistent evidence that listening to Mozart reliably improves cognitive performance for all people, but music and active music-making can improve cognition in specific populations and contexts.

The term “Mozart Effect” refers to the idea that listening to Mozart can improve mental performance.

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The Sound of Success: Ideas in Music for Concentration and Productivity

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Does music help you concentrate? Since we spend a lot of time in front of computers trying to finish our work, wouldn’t it be nice to listen to some of music to help concentrate? Well, music lovers, it seems like Mozart and Beethoven could actually help you with your productivity. Beethoven once said: «Music is where the spirit lives, thinks and invents.»

This relationship between music and the brain is an area that has been intensively explored in research. Many studies point to the ability of music to help employees be more productive and help children in their learning process more effectively. University research in France found that students who listened to music for an hour while reading, scored significantly higher on a questionnaire compared to a group of students who read without music.

Your attention span is better when listening to music

It seems that music for concentration puts students in a heightened emotional state, so that they can be more receptive to information. «It is possible that music causes a change in the learning environment and influenced students’ motivation to stay focused while reading, which led to better performance on a multiple-choice questionnaire,» concluded the french research team in a recent article.

But before you start playing any type, you have to find the music that works better for the type of work you are trying to carry do. For example, the classic from the Baroque period is said to do wonders for brain activity when you are studying or writing. But not all classical music is created equal, so dramatic changes and complicated fugue changes may not be as conducive as a smooth piano piece. So if you have to choose a composer, we would say Mozart. There seems to be evidence that Mozart’s improves mental performance: it is called «The Mozart Effect”.

Build a harmonious space

If you don’t like classical, the discreet sound found in ambient music may work well for you instead. What is the purpose of this if you are not at the airport, you ask? Well, for creative purposes, it’s better than emptiness and silence. According to one of its pioneers, musician Brian Eno: “Background music must be able to accommodate many levels of attention when listening, without forcing one in particular. It must be as ignorable as it is interesting ”.

In fact, researchers have shown that a moderate level of noise, such as that found in the environment, can actually get creative juices flowing. Music with especially low-lows or especially high-highs should be avoided. Certain types of jazz instrumental melodies can also get your brain working.

Music without lyrics

In general, if you are doing work that requires writing, you should avoid listening to music with lyrics as the words in a song are especially destructive to your concentration. Since hearing words activates the brain’s language center, attempting to perform tasks related to another language would be like trying to have a conversation while someone else is speaking to you. But, if you are a cartoonist, and you don’t deal with sentence construction, hearing letters may not have the same effect.

Finally, studies show that listening to music you’re already familiar with may be better if you really need to focus. New songs take you into the unknown and your brain will want to listen closely to see what comes next. With the music you are familiar with you know what to expect, so it doesn’t distract you from your work. And if you like the tune you’re listening to try not to whistle it while you work, as that will only distract you.

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Popular articles and productivity guides often recommend Mozart and other classical music as helpful for concentration and study.

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Content: Can Listening to Music Enhance Your Work Productivity?

Music has been an integral part of human culture for centuries, with its ability to stimulate emotions and connect people on a deep level. Beyond its entertainment value, music has also been suggested to have various benefits, including its potential to boost productivity. But does listening to music really enhance work productivity or is it just a myth?

Studies have shown that music can indeed have a positive impact on work performance, but the effects may vary depending on the nature of the task and personal preferences. For some individuals, listening to instrumental music or melodies without lyrics can create a conducive environment for concentration and focus. The absence of lyrics may limit potential distractions, allowing the mind to delve into the task at hand with greater ease.

On the other hand, complex and cognitively demanding tasks may require a quieter environment devoid of any auditory stimuli. In such cases, music with lyrics or faster beats may hinder concentration and hinder performance. The brain may struggle to process both the language in the lyrics and the task simultaneously, leading to decreased productivity.

Furthermore, the type of music also plays a crucial role in its impact on productivity. Different genres and tempos can evoke a range of emotions, affecting focus and motivation. For instance, classical music has long been praised for its ability to induce relaxation and mental clarity, making it popular among students and professionals alike. Upbeat and energetic music, such as pop or electronic beats, may provide a burst of energy and motivation for more mundane or repetitive tasks.

In conclusion, music can indeed enhance work productivity, but the effects are not universal. It largely depends on the individual’s personal preferences, the nature of the task at hand, and the type of music being listened to. Experimentation is key to finding the right balance between background music that aids concentration and one that may disrupt focus. So, the next time you find yourself zoning out during a tedious task, consider putting on some music that aligns with your work goals and see if it makes a difference.

Recent experimental research in clinical and cognitive settings has produced mixed results regarding cognitive benefits from listening to classical music.

Title:

Content: 4/25/23 · Research

The beneficial effects of music on memory may depend on how it is listened to

The initial results of the study of the 'Mozart effect' on neurodegeneration show that listening to classical music in the background has no benefits for learning
The research has been carried out with people experiencing mild cognitive impairment, and it did find individual differences when listening to 'high-arousal' music

Listening to 'high-arousal' music could have a positive effect on memory for people who are accustomed to using music as an emotional regulator (Image: Clem Onojeghuo, Unsplash)

Given the lack of effective treatments to counteract cognitive impairment, background music has traditionally been proposed as a possible therapeutic alternative for improving memory-related tasks. Its effect has long been the focus of debate, but this relationship has now been found to be possibly determined by new interindividual parameters, which means that it may be more complex than was previously thought. This is shown by research led by Marco Calabria, a researcher in the Cognitive Neurolab group of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), who is now considering new experiments.

The initial results of the Mozart effect and memory in patients with cognitive impairment (MEM-COG) study, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, suggest that listening to background classical music while performing memory tasks neither improves nor impairs learning levels among people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, listening to more 'high-arousal' music was found to have a possible positive effect on people who are accustomed to using music as an emotional regulator in their everyday lives, which suggests there is potential for further hypotheses and research.

The study, which has been published as open access in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, was carried out with patients at the neuropsychology unit of Barcelona's Hospital de Sant Pau, and involved researchers at the hospital, Montreal's Concordia University and Madrid's Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute.

There is no universal effect

"We found no general impact concerning the effect of music in terms of whether it had positive or negative effects on learning in cases of MCI, but we did find that it would be modulated for each individual. If people regularly use music as an emotional regulator in their daily life, such as to help them remain calm or for company, they will find it easier to obtain further benefits from music when they have to learn something new," explained Calabria, who has a PhD in Psychobiology.

The subjects of the study were people with mild amnestic cognitive impairment, i.e. they have memory problems as a result of an onset of neurodegeneration that is more specific in the parts of the brain dealing with aspects of learning and memory. The experiments consisted of observing 24 photographs of human faces. Participants were instructed to memorize them, and 10 minutes later, they were asked to look at a new series containing the previous 24 images and 24 new ones, in order to attempt to identify the ones that they had already seen.

A classical choice

The first test was performed with the subjects listening to classical music in the information consolidation phase but not in the recovery phase, while in the second exercise it was repeated with the auditory stimulus during both phases. However, no significant differences were observed in terms of results.

Classical music was used in these exercises because "it's a type of music that falls between relaxing and arousing, and has proven to be the most effective for enhancing memory". Furthermore, the fact that it is instrumental reduces the interference (that can come from lyrics) with the content that the participants have to learn in the memory task.

A ray of light

However, Calabria's team wanted to carry out a third experiment using popular music which was considered arousing rather than relaxing, and after a preliminary study, they used an instrumental version of Un rayo de sol (A ray of light), by the group Los Diablos. In that experiment, according to Calabria, the results suggested that "the use of music as a strategy for mood regulation is associated with better performance in memory tasks."

Ongoing research

This finding opens up the possibility of further research to continue exploring the role of interindividual preferences and attitudes towards music among patients with MCI. The group plans to continue the project until late 2024.

During this time, it will investigate whether background music could be more useful in other cognitive domains, such as in attention and concentration in patients with Parkinson's disease. The experiments will also involve the use of a new infrared spectroscopy device in the Neuro Lab, one of the recently opened new laboratories at the UOC, which will show the activation at the cerebral level while cognitive processes are taking place. This will help to determine whether or not there are any alterations in the brain's modulation, in which areas this takes place, and whether it depends on the type of person studied, regardless of the level of response to music.

In overall terms, this will help to find a type of marker which determines the people most likely to benefit from music in cognitive tasks. "The more we know about how background music shapes cognitive processes, the better the use we can make of music as a therapeutic tool in cognitive stimulation," concluded Calabria, an expert in the study of cognitive processes and a member of teaching staff on the UOC's Master's Degree in Neuropsychology.

This research project receives funding from the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Government of Spain, and contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3, Good health and well-being.

Reference article:

Calabria, Marco et al. 'Background Music and Memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Role of Interindividual Differences'. 1 Jan. 2023: 815 – 829. DOI: 10.3233/JAD-221051

Press contact

Sònia Armengou Casanovas
sarmengouc@uoc.edu
+34 619 413 823

UOC R&I

The UOC's research and innovation (R&I) is helping overcome pressing challenges faced by global societies in the 21st century by studying interactions between technology and human & social sciences with a specific focus on the network society, e-learning and e-health.

Over 500 researchers and more than 50 research groups work in the UOC's seven faculties, its eLearning Research programme and its two research centres: the Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3) and the eHealth Center (eHC).

The university also develops online learning innovations at its eLearning Innovation Center (eLinC), as well as UOC community entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer via the Hubbik platform.

Open knowledge and the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development serve as strategic pillars for the UOC's teaching, research and innovation. More information: research.uoc.edu.

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San Jose, California, resident's package was stolen. The thief was a wild boar.
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The doctor ’ s words / When the mentally retarded person meets the familiar sound
In 2023, an estimated 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older have Alzheimer ’ s disease.
Dementia in the elderly is an incurable disease. It is easy for patients to become isolated, because they will feel isolated and helpless about their own uselessness, and they are used to being alone in order to avoid embarrassment.
In the latter stages, they often lose the ability to communicate with people around them.
It is very painful for the patients themselves and the caregivers and family members who care for them.
In recent years, it has been found that music therapy can intervene and make up for this lack of progress.
It also increases the patient ’ s engagement with the surrounding environment and reduces many neurological symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and unexplained tantrums.
In other words, when people with dementia are unable to connect with their loved ones, that is, when they are unable to speak their language, music is the last bridge to interact with each other.
Q1: Do people with dementia have special feelings about music?
A1: According to nearly a decade of research by the Department of Neurology at Northwestern University, it has been found that even though people with dementia lose language and other memories, memories related to music often remain in the brain.
This is because areas of the brain involved in musical memory (e.g., the cerebellum) are not affected until late in the disease process.
Familiar music can help people with dementia recover certain aspects of their memory, make them feel calm, and greatly improve their mood.
Q2: Why do people with dementia remember their favorite songs?
A2: Although suffering from severe dementia, it means that a person has very little memory of their past.
Even if you can ’ t remember your son ’ s name, familiar songs that you ’ ve heard and sung will always come to mind.
Q3: In addition to music, is listening to the radio good for elderly people with dementia?
A3: In fact, the radio can not only provide good music, but also play emotional dialogue, which can truly relieve the loneliness of the dementia patient and bring comfort and peace.
Q4: How do people with dementia react to music?
A4: According to the research of clinical psychiatrists, it is found that people with dementia who are generally slow to respond to music, especially to their favorite music.
Hearing a familiar concert naturally shows a pleasant response, such as smiling or moving your body or even starting to dance.
And it seems to produce a unique and powerful stimulus response to familiar music that awakens the patient ’ s past personal and social connections.
In theory, if music can evoke memories, it may also help patients evoke other memories or related memories of that period.
In several studies, it has been consistently found that music tends to evoke more positive and positive memories from life than other clues.
Q5: Can music also prevent cognitive decline?
A5: Playing and listening to music can help slow the decline of cognitive function in older adults, according to a new study in Medical Journal Today.
Active note vibrations increase gray matter in certain areas of the brain and increase the plasticity of brain cells. Although music does not reverse or prevent brain cell shrinkage due to aging, it can slow cognitive decline.
Q6: What kind of music is most helpful?
A6: Studies have proved that classical music is the best choice.
The International Institute of Science calls this phenomenon the "Mozart effect."
It is recommended to listen to classical music such as Mozart, Bach, Beethoven and other famous composers.
Classical music seems to move the brain more easily than other music, is best suited for concentration, and is more able to produce substantial effects in absorbing new information.
Q7: Do musicians suffer from dementia?
A7: According to the International Institute of Science, a study of twins reported that musicians have a 64% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
The analysis of two other studies found that musicians had an average 59% lower risk of dementia.
Training and performance, which can be attributed to music, stimulates the brain and improves its ability to respond to the outside world.
Q8: Which organ is most stimulated by music?
A8: Although most activities such as visual art, computing, and language are mainly only half of the brain.
But music is one of the few that can pass through the auditory nerve and stimulate neurons on both sides of the brain at the same time.
Q9: How does music react in the brain?
A9: Music can promote the production of hormones dopamine and serotonin in the brain.
These are neurotransmitters that increase the sense of pleasure and ease.
There is also the so-called love hormone - oxytocin.
At the same time, research evidence shows that music can help reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, instantly relieving feelings of anxiety and depression.
Q10: How long does the music last?
A10: It ’ s a concern that in people with dementia, music can improve mood, behavior, and in some cases cognitive function, which, according to the Clinical Psychiatric Society, lasts for hours or even days after the music stops.
Q11: Can people without dementia benefit from music?
A11: A recent study suggests that playing an instrument and actively listening to music can help slow cognitive decline in people aged 62-78.
This study once again determined that musical activity increases the gray matter in many areas of the brain. Gray matter is an essential nerve tissue in the brain and spinal cord.
In particular, it plays an important role in psychology, memory, mood and movement. The increase in gray matter also increases the plasticity of the brain ’ s nerves – the brain ’ s ability to reconnect itself, which is important for learning cognition and memory preservation.
In addition to actively playing music, the 2023 study also showed that long-term music training, regardless of the age of the participants, can bring potential functional benefits to the brain and help keep the brain young and slow down aging.
(The author is a practicing physician in the Greater Washington area)
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An initial MEM-COG study published in 2023 found that background classical music neither improved nor impaired learning in people with mild cognitive impairment, but that high-arousal music produced possible benefits for individuals who regularly use music as an emotional regulator.

In the MEM-COG experiments, participants memorized and later recognized photographs of faces, and no significant performance differences were observed when classical music was played during consolidation or during both consolidation and recovery phases.

Researchers from the MEM-COG team concluded there is no universal effect of background classical music on learning and that any benefits are likely modulated by individual differences and habitual use of music.

Neuroscience research indicates one plausible mechanism for music-related cognitive changes is activation of the brain’s reward system, which can motivate learning and support prediction-based learning processes.

Separate studies report that active music-making, especially playing an instrument like the piano, is associated with better memory, improved executive function, and structural brain changes such as increased grey matter that may support cognitive reserve.

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Home > Health> Wellness > Playing an instrument is linked to better brain health, reveals study

Playing an instrument is linked to better brain health, reveals study

A new study shows that playing an instrument is especially good for older adults as it is associated with improved memory and executive function

The study showed that continuing to play into later life is linked to greater benefits. (Pexels)

It’s well-known that practicing or listening to music can reduce stress and improve mood. Now, a new study has found that playing an instrument is especially good for older adults as it is associated with better brain health.

For this study, researchers from the University of Exeter reviewed over 25,000 people’s musical experience and lifetime exposure to music, as well as results of cognitive testing, to find out whether playing instruments or singing helps to keep the brain sharp in later life, the university’s press statement explained.

Also read: How music can prevent cognitive decline

The findings, published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, showed that playing a musical instrument, particularly the piano, is associated with improved memory and executive function—the ability to solve complex tasks. Notably, continuing to play into later life is linked to greater benefits.

The study showed that singing also led to better brain health. However, this could also be because of the social factors of being part of a choir or group. In the statement, Amy Corbett, one of the study authors said the findings show that “promoting musical education would be a valuable part of public health initiatives to promote a protective lifestyle for brain health, as would encouraging older adults to return to music in later life.”

Corbett added that this approach could enable older adults to proactively reduce their risk and promote brain health.

Previous studies have also shown that engaging with music can improve the quality of life of older adults. For instance, a study published in NeuroImage: Reports in April 2023, discovered that music can help alter cognitive decline in healthy older adults by stimulating the production of grey matter. With age, brain plasticity, a process that involves adaptive structural and functional changes to the brain, decreases. But the study showed that practicing and listening to music can enhance brain plasticity and cognitive reserve.

A 2021 study conducted by researchers from the University of Toronto (U of T) and Unity Health Toronto found similar associations. The findings, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, showed that repeated listening to personally meaningful music leads to beneficial brain plasticity in patients with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's disease.

Also read: Listening to your favourite songs can reduce pain: Study

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Content: Scientists from the University of Bath have discovered the effect of playing the piano on cognitive abilities.
It turned out that classes on this musical instrument contribute to improving the processing of information by the brain and raise mood.
The findings of the work are reported in the journal Scientific Reports, reports Day.Az with reference to Gazeta.ru.
During the study, the researchers followed 31 adult participants for 11 weeks, who were divided into two groups: the first was engaged in music, and the second only listened to it.
The subjects in the first group were taught to play the piano for only one hour a week, and previously they had no musical experience.
Volunteers from the second group at this time listened to music or used it for homework.
The authors noticed that a few weeks after the start of the experiment, people ’ s ability to process multisensory information (visual and audio) improved significantly.
In practice, this is useful for almost any type of activity, from driving a car to finding someone in a crowd or watching TV.
Thanks to music education, audiovisual processing of information has become more accurate in performing other tasks.
Those who received piano lessons performed better in appropriate trials, in which they were asked to determine whether sound and visual "events" occurred simultaneously.
In addition, such participants had reduced manifestations of depression, anxiety and stress.
Experts believe that music classes can be useful for people with mental disorders, so in the future they plan to conduct more research on this topic.

A study that taught previously non-musical adults to play piano for 11 weeks reported improvements in multisensory processing and reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress compared with passive listening controls.

Practical guidance in the reviewed articles notes that familiarity with the music, individual preference, and using instrumental pieces without lyrics influence whether background music aids concentration.

Overall, the provided documents show mixed empirical support for a general Mozart Effect on cognition, while highlighting consistent potential benefits from active music-making and context-dependent effects of listening.

Conclusion: Based on the provided documents, there is not universal, consistent evidence that listening to Mozart reliably improves cognitive performance for all people, but music and active music-making can improve cognition in specific populations and contexts.


Ancient Egyptians regarded cats as sacred and linked them to the goddess Bastet, who was depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat’s head.

Cats were mummified and given formal burial rites because Egyptians desired eternal life for these animals.

Cats were also highly valued for practical reasons because they killed rodents and protected grain, and grain was treated as extremely valuable.

In Egyptian religion gods were often depicted with animal heads and animals could hold divine status, which reinforced cats’ spiritual importance.

Archaeological records show animals were ritually buried in Egypt, demonstrating cultural and religious regard for nonhuman creatures.

None of the provided documents explain a custom of shaving eyebrows when mourning a family cat, so that specific practice is not described in this context.

Conclusion: Based on the provided documents, cats in ancient Egypt were highly valued for religious, symbolic, and practical reasons, and the materials here do not explain eyebrow-shaving as a mourning ritual.

Ancient Egyptians regarded cats as sacred and linked them to the goddess Bastet, who was depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat’s head.

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Content: Home » Celebrating our fellow felines

Celebrating our fellow felines

by admin

Every August 8, animal lovers around the world come together to celebrate International Cat Day, a day dedicated to honoring and recognizing the presence and special role that cats have in our lives, this holiday has become an opportunity to highlight the importance of caring for and respecting our feline friends, as well as to raise awareness of the need to protect and preserve their well-being.

The role of the Cat in the History of Culture

Cats have played a significant role in various cultures and historical moments. From ancient Egypt, where they were considered symbols of divinity and associated with the goddess Bastet, to medieval Europe, where they were considered guardians of homes and farms due to their ability to keep rodent populations in check, cats have been around. present in human life in different ways.

In the Middle Ages, however, cats also faced hard times when they were linked with superstition and witchcraft, leading to persecution and slaughter. Fortunately, over time, the relationship between humans and cats has evolved towards a more harmonious and beneficial coexistence for both parties.

Education and care of cats

Photo: Pet City

Training a cat requires patience, understanding and knowledge. Here are some key tips to ensure your cat thrives happy and healthy.

Provide a suitable environment, make sure your home is safe and comfortable for your cat. Provide places for him to rest and hide, as well as toys and environmental enrichment to stimulate his mind.

Food and hydration, offers a balanced diet appropriate to the needs of your cat. It often provides fresh, clean water.

See also  The Democratic Party of Korea, taking to the streets, "condemns the marine discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima" [뉴시스Pic] :: Sympathy Press Newsis News Agency ::

Litter box, keep a clean and accessible litter box so your cat can eliminate. Clean the box regularly to avoid health problems and bad smells.

Health problems and bad odors. Socialization and Play Interact and play with your cat daily to keep him physically and mentally active. Play with toys and interaction with other animals can be beneficial

Veterinary Care Schedule regular visits to the vet to make sure your cat is up to date on vaccinations and health checks. This is essential to prevent and detect any medical problem in time.

Hygiene, brush your cat’s coat to keep it clean and reduce the formation of hairballs. Also, take care of their oral health by brushing their teeth or providing dental treats.

Respect and love, each cat has its own personality and needs. He respects his space and his quiet times, and show him love and affection according to his preferences.

fun facts about cats

Courtesy Week The sense of smell, although we don’t talk so much about their sense of smell as about their vision and hearing, cats have a highly developed sense of smell. They use their nose to explore and recognize the world around them. They are amazing, they are excellent jumpers and can jump up to six times their length in a single jump. This is partly due to the unique structure of their hind legs, which gives them great power and flexibility. Mysterious purr, cats are believed to purr not only when they are happy, but also when they are sick or injured. Purring could have healing properties and help in the regeneration of bones and tissues. Cats in space, the first cat to travel to space was named Felicette, also known as ‘Felix’. She was launched by the French Space Agency in 1963 and returned safely. Tail Communication Cats use their tails to communicate. A pricked tail usually indicates confidence and happiness, while a wagging tail could mean the cat is excited or agitated. Born hunters, domestic cats retain their hunting instincts. They can hunt insects, mice and other small animals, which is also a form of exercise and mental stimulation. Exceptional night vision, cats have cells in their eyes called rods, which allow them to see in low light conditions. Their night vision is up to six times better than that of humans.

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Content: The mummy of a pet: why and why did the ancient Egyptians do this?
1: 43
The Egyptians showed special respect for their pets, their love was so great that they wanted these animals to have eternal life.
After death, pets were mummified and went through a complex burial process.
In ancient Egyptian worldview, four-legged and feathered creatures were considered sacred, divine and influencing their destinies.
They occupied an honorable place in the pantheon, and the gods were often depicted with animal heads.
Mummification was an integral part of this religious practice, emphasizing the special status of these creatures in the eyes of the Egyptians.
The Egyptians mummified various animals, believing that their gods could take different forms.
For example, the goddess Bast, the daughter of Ra, was depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat ’ s head.
This goddess symbolized well-being, joy, love and fertility.
The Egyptians especially revered cats for their ability to exterminate rodents, which was critical for preserving grain stocks, then considered valuable as gold.
Cats have also earned the nickname “sunny eye ” due to their ability to see in the dark.
This property made them important symbols in Egyptian mythology.
Archaeological studies conducted at the ancient Egyptian necropolis of Qubbet el-Hawa have uncovered the burial of crocodiles, one of which has been preserved in the form of a practically whole mummy, providing a unique look at the ancient rites and veneration of animals in this culture.
Author Petr Deryabin
Petr Deryabin – journalist, correspondent of Pravda.Ru news service

Cats were mummified and given formal burial rites because Egyptians desired eternal life for these animals.

Cats were also highly valued for practical reasons because they killed rodents and protected grain, and grain was treated as extremely valuable.

In Egyptian religion gods were often depicted with animal heads and animals could hold divine status, which reinforced cats’ spiritual importance.

Archaeological records show animals were ritually buried in Egypt, demonstrating cultural and religious regard for nonhuman creatures.

Title:

Content: Archaeologists find the body of a child with 142 dogs

The body of a child and 142 dogs, dated from 1st century BCE to the 1st century AD, has been found in Egypt.

A mummy is seen inside the newly discovered burial site in Minya, Egypt May 13, 2017
(photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY)

Archaeologists from the Center for Egyptological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences have discovered the body of an eight-year-old child and 142 dogs buried together in Egypt.

The discovery, made near Cairo, was dated to between the 1st century BCE to the 1st century CE. During this time, the Romans assumed control over Egypt.

Dogs in ancient Egypt

The dogs, 87% of which were puppies, are thought to have died as a result of flooding. The Archaeologists were able to assess that they died simultaneously, with no violence involved. They also found blue clay on the dogs, which was found in reservoirs during that period, supporting the theory that the dogs had drowned.

Despite ancient Egyptians worshipping numerous animals, dogs were not generally believed to be sacred. They were used as pets and for labor. However, some dogs were mummified and buried with their owners. The ancient Egyptians believed that the dog-headed gods Anubis and Upuat were with the souls of the dead in the afterlife. Some dogs were sacrificed to play the role of an amulet in a burial.

The only case to which similarities can be drawn, is the discovery of a child's body with 12 dogs in a cemetery in Hierakonpolis.

Egyptian mummy. (credit: CREATIVE COMMONS)

It is unknown why the boy was buried there. The current theory is that the boy died while caring for the dogs and was buried with them.

Children in ancient Egypt

It is unlikely that the boy and his dogs were executed. According to Egypt Today, children in ancient Egypt were treated well with access to education and were forbidden to learn a trade.

Adding to the mystery, the boy was found with a linen bag over his head. The only other time a body was found with a linen bag covering the head, the person had been executed by an arrow.

The average life span in ancient Egypt, according to the American Society of Research Overseas, is 22.5-25 years for men and 35-37 years for women.

None of the provided documents explain a custom of shaving eyebrows when mourning a family cat, so that specific practice is not described in this context.

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Content: Editor’s Note: Eric Tourigny is a lecturer in historical archaeology at Newcastle University, UK. His research interprets osteological and material culture remains alongside historic texts to examine changing human-animal relationships in Europe and North America over the past 500 years. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more opinion on CNN.

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Why do we bury our departed loved ones in a cemetery? A primary purpose is to provide survivors with an opportunity to grieve and gain a sense of closure. The cemetery is a place for the living as much as it is a place for the dead.

But what about when the dearly departed are not human – but our pets?

The Spanish city of Barcelona recently announced that it will be investing in the establishment of the country’s first public pet cemetery. Set to open next year, it will offer both burials and cremations – with an estimated 7,000 carried out each year.

For me, as someone who has spent years researching the development of pet cemeteries elsewhere in the world, this news came as a shock. Barcelona is a densely populated city with limited privately owned land – one where 50% of families own a pet.

How did a city that is home to 180,000 dogs not already have a public pet cemetery? Until now, the service was only provided by the private sector, according to Barcelona’s Councilor for Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, Eloi Badia. He added that the municipal-funded initiative was sparked by “constant public demand.”

After all, public pet cemeteries have been around in Europe and the Americas since the late 19th century. Britain’s first public pet cemetery appeared in London’s Hyde Park in 1881. New York’s Hartsdale pet cemetery was founded in 1896, followed a few years later by Paris’ ornate Cimetière des Chiens in 1899.

A grave discovery

I became interested in the history of modern pet burial practices while investigating the archaeological record of a centuries-old house in Toronto. I came across a (very) large dog buried in the back garden which, according to the historical record, was occupied between 1840 and 1870.

This dog survived to an elderly age but, sadly, suffered from degenerative joint disease and severe infections during his last months. His ailments progressed to such a state that suggest he received some level of care in his final weeks. He then was buried in a personal plot behind the family home.

This elderly dog led me to think about the different ways people interact with the bodies of their pets after death. Could this behavior be reflective of the relationships they held with their animals in life? In this instance, why take the time to carefully bury a dog in its own space when other, arguably easier options existed?

This, after all, was an era when people often disposed of their dead pets in the river, or might have sold their bodies for meat and skin.

Good hygiene is an obvious reason to choose a burial – no one wants decomposing animal bodies in the street or their garden – but that wouldn’t immediately warrant a personalized, dedicated burial and gravestone.

The most straight forward option would be to dispose of a deceased animal with the household waste. But such treatment would evidently feel less ceremonious and would not offer appropriate emotional closure to what was likely an important relationship.

A member of the family

Like the burial of people, the burial of pets is an intimate cultural practice, one that changes over time and is reflective of the changing relationships that a society has with its cherished creatures.

My study of historic gravestones and epitaphs in Britain from the Victorian period to today shows this changing human-animal relationship. In the 19th century, gravestones were often dedicated to a “loving friend” or “devoted companion,” suggesting pets were mostly considered important friends.

By the early 20th century, pets had become members of the family – evidenced by the appearance of family surnames on the gravestones, and loving epitaphs written by “Mummy and Daddy.”

Society’s changing attitude towards the role of animals in the afterlife can also be found. Fast-forward a few decades later, and gravestones were more likely to reference a reunion then earlier ones. For example, the owners of Denny, the “brave little cat” buried in an east London cemetery in 1952, wrote on his epitaph “God bless until we meet again.”

I wonder what the epitaphs in Barcelona’s new cemetery will reveal about modern Catalan relationships with animals.

Over time, our ways of treating our animal dead appear to reflect an even closer relationship in life. Once strictly forbidden by law, the last decade saw many jurisdictions, like the state of New York, allowing the co-burial of cremated animals and people, which will undoubtedly lead to changing funerary and commemoration practices for both humans and animals.

Modern mourning

For me, the most remarkable similarity between modern and historic pet cemeteries is the striking evidence for the heartbreak and taboos around grieving for animals.

The connection that someone has with their pet can be just as strong and just as significant as their relationships with other humans. Yet today, as in over 100 years ago, individuals continue to struggle to find the appropriate outlet to express their pain, hiding heartache for fear of the social repercussions that might come with public acknowledgment of the existence of such a bond.

The RSPCA reassures the public on its website that they should not feel shame for their grief. In the UK, charities like the Blue Cross and Rainbow Bridge Pet Loss Grief Center offer counseling to bereaved humans.

Close relationships between people and animals have existed for millennia, but in western European cultures, there were few acceptable ways to mourn that relationship. As society becomes more accepting of the importance of human-animal relationships to our collective wellbeing, it is not surprising to see us follow rituals resembling those we use to mourn the loss of our closest human relationships.

At an estimated cost of €200 ($217) per service at the new Barcelona cemetery, it is important to acknowledge that this opportunity to grieve will not be financially available to everyone in the city.

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    This will not be a space for all of the city’s pets. Pet owners may opt to keep cremated remains within their home or spread out ashes in a meaningful location instead. Online forums and digital pet cemeteries also provide other opportunities to commemorate the relationship and express grief.

    Whether one chooses a pet cemetery or not, there are many acceptable ways to express your grief – and to remember your relationship with the important animals in your life.

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Content: You will not miss us!
8,117 followers
10 amazing facts about hygiene in ancient Egypt
Waxing and other hygiene procedures in ancient Egypt.
There is an erroneous opinion that in the ancient world people had a very vague idea of   hygiene and they practically did not follow the purity and smell of their body.
But scientists believe that the ancient Egyptians were a very advanced civilization, not only in terms of construction technology, but also in terms of hygiene.
1.
Mint Breath
Egypt - the cradle of dentistry. / Photo: listverse.com
Hesi-Re is considered to be the first dentist in the world to work during the pharaoh Djoser around 1600 BC (during the Third Dynasty of Egypt).
However, the first evidence of dentistry dates back to 3000 BC.
A papyrus guide was found with detailed instructions on how to heal wounds in the mouth.
It was at this time that dental surgery was born.
And “for those whose breath smelled as bad as the armpits of the lower class, ” granulated honey was recommended in combination with a decoction of herbs and spices.
2.
Parasites
Haircut as a way to combat parasites. / Photo: listverse.com
The Egyptians actively tried to fight pests and parasites.
In an attempt to get rid of head lice, men, women and children shaved their heads, and priests and other people from high society removed hair all over their bodies.
But in addition to temporary treatments such as haircuts, the Egyptians also used prototypes of repellents.
For example, they sprayed a solution of soda and salt in their homes to get rid of fleas.
3.
Circumcision
Circumcision in Ancient Egypt. / Photo: listverse.com
Although anthropologists disagree on the origin of circumcision of the foreskin, they believe that the ritual was practiced in Egypt as early as 4000 BC.
Mass circumcision ceremonies were held among young men under the age of 15 and were intended both for the rite of puberty and for the sake of purity.
Some anthropologists claim that the procedure originated as a sign of desecration or slavery.
In fact, captive warriors in ancient Egypt used to be castrated, but this was often fatal.
Therefore, the slaves began to simply cut off the foreskin.
4.
Deodorant
Spices - deodorant in Egyptian. / Photo: listverse.com
Egyptians are often credited with inventing the first deodorant.
They tried to get rid of the unpleasant smell of sweat with various spices such as citrus and cinnamon.
By mixing numerous fragrances, including flowering evergreen carob shrubs, they made natural deodorizing granules that were worn under their arms.
In addition, to get rid of the unpleasant smell, they shaved their hair under their arms.
5.
Ancient recipes
Hygiene in Ancient Egypt: ancient recipes. / photo: caprizulka.ru
Two thousand years before Hesi-Re, the world ’ s first dentist, the Egyptians, as well as the Babylonians, used their own version of a toothbrush, which was made from twigs with soaked ends.
These primitive toothbrushes are found in tombs next to the mummified remains of their owners, which date back to 3500 BC.
What ’ s even more surprising is that, 1,500 years before that, the Egyptians used toothpaste to brush their teeth.
In the National Library in Vienna, Austria, there is a collection of papyrus documents, in which you can find the world's oldest known recipe for toothpaste consisting of dried iris flower, salt, pepper and mint.
6.
Accessories
Hygiene in Ancient Egypt: accessories. / photo: listverse.com
The attention of the Egyptians to their appearance is evident from the contents of their graves.
Even in the ancient kingdom with their owner buried a variety of cosmetic accessories.
For example, there were decorative studs and ridges made of ivory and silver, bronze tweezers to shape the eyebrows and gold razors.
Polished copper mirrors with intricate graceful handles were also found everywhere, which were placed under the heads of the deceased or in front of their face.
7.
Preventive medicine
Hygiene in ancient Egypt: preventive medicine. / photo: bookpalace.com
Preventive medicine was as important to the Egyptians as any other measure they took to preserve their health and prevent the spread of disease.
In this regard, they focused mainly on their diet.
For example, the Egyptians included in the diet of their workers onions, garlic and radishes, which are extremely rich in allistatin, allicin and raphanin - natural powerful antibiotics.
8.
Eye makeup
Hygiene in Ancient Egypt: eye makeup. / photo: listverse.com
Charming eye makeup, which became the epitome of ancient Egyptian glamour, actually served not only for vanity.
When analyzing 52 samples of ancient cosmetics, scientists found that most of the lead-based substances used in Egyptian cosmetics increased the level of nitric oxide in human skin cells by 240%.
Importantly, nitric oxide boosts the immune system to help fight disease.
This was of particular importance in tropical swampy areas such as the Nile, where eye infections were rampant.
9.
Medical knowledge
Hygiene in Ancient Egypt: medical knowledge. / photo: listverse.com
In the "Ebers papyrus" dating back to 1500 BC, the Egyptians described soap-like materials that were made with alkaline salts, as well as vegetable and animal fats.
This substance was used not only for washing, but also for the treatment of skin diseases.
In fact, the Ebers papyrus includes as many as 877 recipes, as well as the earliest documented description of tumors.
10.
Female doctors
Hygiene in Ancient Egypt: female doctors. / photo: listverse.com
At a time when women were very limited in terms of freedom of choice, Egyptians differed from other societies in that educated women had the right to work in any field of their choice.
Women doctors most often engaged in obstetrics.
And they used different things.
For example, the earliest known pregnancy test existed in the Egyptians, and it needed barley and spelt (wheat).
Women had to urinate on these grains for several days and if neither barley nor spelt began to germinate, it meant that the woman was not pregnant.
Interestingly, modern scientists have confirmed that urine in non-pregnant women inhibits the growth of grains.
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Conclusion: Based on the provided documents, cats in ancient Egypt were highly valued for religious, symbolic, and practical reasons, and the materials here do not explain eyebrow-shaving as a mourning ritual.


Cats in ancient Egypt were considered sacred and were associated with deities.

The goddess Bastet was depicted as a cat or as a woman with a cat's head and was linked to wellbeing, joy, love, and fertility.

Egyptians mummified and ritually buried many companion animals so that these animals could have an eternal existence in their religious worldview.

Archaeological finds include large animal burials such as a child buried with 142 dogs and discoveries of near-complete mummified crocodiles in Egyptian necropolises.

Cats were also highly valued for practical reasons because they killed rodents and thereby protected grain stores that were central to Egyptian society.

In the Egyptian worldview many animals and birds were regarded as sacred or divine and gods were commonly depicted with animal heads.

For these combined religious and practical reasons, cats occupied an honored place in both ritual life and everyday life in ancient Egypt.

The provided documents do not mention the practice of Egyptians shaving their eyebrows when mourning the loss of a family cat.

In ancient Egypt cats were highly valued both as sacred animals linked to gods like Bastet and as practical protectors of grain, which explains their special treatment including mummification and ritual burial.

Cats in ancient Egypt were considered sacred and were associated with deities.

Title:

Content: Home » Celebrating our fellow felines

Celebrating our fellow felines

by admin

Every August 8, animal lovers around the world come together to celebrate International Cat Day, a day dedicated to honoring and recognizing the presence and special role that cats have in our lives, this holiday has become an opportunity to highlight the importance of caring for and respecting our feline friends, as well as to raise awareness of the need to protect and preserve their well-being.

The role of the Cat in the History of Culture

Cats have played a significant role in various cultures and historical moments. From ancient Egypt, where they were considered symbols of divinity and associated with the goddess Bastet, to medieval Europe, where they were considered guardians of homes and farms due to their ability to keep rodent populations in check, cats have been around. present in human life in different ways.

In the Middle Ages, however, cats also faced hard times when they were linked with superstition and witchcraft, leading to persecution and slaughter. Fortunately, over time, the relationship between humans and cats has evolved towards a more harmonious and beneficial coexistence for both parties.

Education and care of cats

Photo: Pet City

Training a cat requires patience, understanding and knowledge. Here are some key tips to ensure your cat thrives happy and healthy.

Provide a suitable environment, make sure your home is safe and comfortable for your cat. Provide places for him to rest and hide, as well as toys and environmental enrichment to stimulate his mind.

Food and hydration, offers a balanced diet appropriate to the needs of your cat. It often provides fresh, clean water.

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Litter box, keep a clean and accessible litter box so your cat can eliminate. Clean the box regularly to avoid health problems and bad smells.

Health problems and bad odors. Socialization and Play Interact and play with your cat daily to keep him physically and mentally active. Play with toys and interaction with other animals can be beneficial

Veterinary Care Schedule regular visits to the vet to make sure your cat is up to date on vaccinations and health checks. This is essential to prevent and detect any medical problem in time.

Hygiene, brush your cat’s coat to keep it clean and reduce the formation of hairballs. Also, take care of their oral health by brushing their teeth or providing dental treats.

Respect and love, each cat has its own personality and needs. He respects his space and his quiet times, and show him love and affection according to his preferences.

fun facts about cats

Courtesy Week The sense of smell, although we don’t talk so much about their sense of smell as about their vision and hearing, cats have a highly developed sense of smell. They use their nose to explore and recognize the world around them. They are amazing, they are excellent jumpers and can jump up to six times their length in a single jump. This is partly due to the unique structure of their hind legs, which gives them great power and flexibility. Mysterious purr, cats are believed to purr not only when they are happy, but also when they are sick or injured. Purring could have healing properties and help in the regeneration of bones and tissues. Cats in space, the first cat to travel to space was named Felicette, also known as ‘Felix’. She was launched by the French Space Agency in 1963 and returned safely. Tail Communication Cats use their tails to communicate. A pricked tail usually indicates confidence and happiness, while a wagging tail could mean the cat is excited or agitated. Born hunters, domestic cats retain their hunting instincts. They can hunt insects, mice and other small animals, which is also a form of exercise and mental stimulation. Exceptional night vision, cats have cells in their eyes called rods, which allow them to see in low light conditions. Their night vision is up to six times better than that of humans.

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Content: The mummy of a pet: why and why did the ancient Egyptians do this?
1: 43
The Egyptians showed special respect for their pets, their love was so great that they wanted these animals to have eternal life.
After death, pets were mummified and went through a complex burial process.
In ancient Egyptian worldview, four-legged and feathered creatures were considered sacred, divine and influencing their destinies.
They occupied an honorable place in the pantheon, and the gods were often depicted with animal heads.
Mummification was an integral part of this religious practice, emphasizing the special status of these creatures in the eyes of the Egyptians.
The Egyptians mummified various animals, believing that their gods could take different forms.
For example, the goddess Bast, the daughter of Ra, was depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat ’ s head.
This goddess symbolized well-being, joy, love and fertility.
The Egyptians especially revered cats for their ability to exterminate rodents, which was critical for preserving grain stocks, then considered valuable as gold.
Cats have also earned the nickname “sunny eye ” due to their ability to see in the dark.
This property made them important symbols in Egyptian mythology.
Archaeological studies conducted at the ancient Egyptian necropolis of Qubbet el-Hawa have uncovered the burial of crocodiles, one of which has been preserved in the form of a practically whole mummy, providing a unique look at the ancient rites and veneration of animals in this culture.
Author Petr Deryabin
Petr Deryabin – journalist, correspondent of Pravda.Ru news service

The goddess Bastet was depicted as a cat or as a woman with a cat's head and was linked to wellbeing, joy, love, and fertility.

Egyptians mummified and ritually buried many companion animals so that these animals could have an eternal existence in their religious worldview.

Title:

Content: Archaeologists find the body of a child with 142 dogs

The body of a child and 142 dogs, dated from 1st century BCE to the 1st century AD, has been found in Egypt.

A mummy is seen inside the newly discovered burial site in Minya, Egypt May 13, 2017
(photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY)

Archaeologists from the Center for Egyptological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences have discovered the body of an eight-year-old child and 142 dogs buried together in Egypt.

The discovery, made near Cairo, was dated to between the 1st century BCE to the 1st century CE. During this time, the Romans assumed control over Egypt.

Dogs in ancient Egypt

The dogs, 87% of which were puppies, are thought to have died as a result of flooding. The Archaeologists were able to assess that they died simultaneously, with no violence involved. They also found blue clay on the dogs, which was found in reservoirs during that period, supporting the theory that the dogs had drowned.

Despite ancient Egyptians worshipping numerous animals, dogs were not generally believed to be sacred. They were used as pets and for labor. However, some dogs were mummified and buried with their owners. The ancient Egyptians believed that the dog-headed gods Anubis and Upuat were with the souls of the dead in the afterlife. Some dogs were sacrificed to play the role of an amulet in a burial.

The only case to which similarities can be drawn, is the discovery of a child's body with 12 dogs in a cemetery in Hierakonpolis.

Egyptian mummy. (credit: CREATIVE COMMONS)

It is unknown why the boy was buried there. The current theory is that the boy died while caring for the dogs and was buried with them.

Children in ancient Egypt

It is unlikely that the boy and his dogs were executed. According to Egypt Today, children in ancient Egypt were treated well with access to education and were forbidden to learn a trade.

Adding to the mystery, the boy was found with a linen bag over his head. The only other time a body was found with a linen bag covering the head, the person had been executed by an arrow.

The average life span in ancient Egypt, according to the American Society of Research Overseas, is 22.5-25 years for men and 35-37 years for women.

Archaeological finds include large animal burials such as a child buried with 142 dogs and discoveries of near-complete mummified crocodiles in Egyptian necropolises.

Cats were also highly valued for practical reasons because they killed rodents and thereby protected grain stores that were central to Egyptian society.

In the Egyptian worldview many animals and birds were regarded as sacred or divine and gods were commonly depicted with animal heads.

For these combined religious and practical reasons, cats occupied an honored place in both ritual life and everyday life in ancient Egypt.

The provided documents do not mention the practice of Egyptians shaving their eyebrows when mourning the loss of a family cat.

In ancient Egypt cats were highly valued both as sacred animals linked to gods like Bastet and as practical protectors of grain, which explains their special treatment including mummification and ritual burial.