30.10.2025 20:44
At Waltham Abbey, one of England's oldest churches, a mummified cat was found right next to the grave of the last Anglo-Saxon king, Harold Godwinson. Experts noted that while they are aware of the practice of burying animals in walls to ward off evil spirits, it is extremely rare to see this practice in a church.
One of the oldest places of worship in England, Waltham Abbey Church, has hosted a surprising archaeological find.
A MUMMIFIED CAT WAS FOUND IN THE WALLS OF THE CHURCH
Within the walls of the church located in the Essex region, a mummified cat was discovered. Even more striking was the fact that the cat was found right next to the grave of the last Anglo-Saxon king, Harold Godwinson, who lost his life in the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
EVEN HISTORIANS WERE SURPRISED
According to experts, in the past, in some societies, cats were buried in the walls of houses to ward off evil spirits, ghosts, and witches. However, it is extremely rare to see this practice in a church. This situation led researchers to experience great astonishment.
NOTICED AFTER YEARS
Ian Channell, the director of Epping Forest Museum, recounted that he was astonished when he first saw the mummified cat. It turned out that the object had been in the museum's collection since the 1970s, but no information about its origin had been found before. With the re-examination of the documents, it was understood that the cat was taken from the walls of Waltham Abbey Church.
HISTORY DATING BACK TO THE 7TH CENTURY
The origins of Waltham Abbey Church date back to the 7th century. Over time, the structure has witnessed many historical events, and with this latest discovery, it has added a new and mysterious link to its past.