īased on artistic representations and monkey remains five monkey species have been identified in ancient Egypt: sacred baboon ( Papio hamadryas), olive baboon ( Papio anubis), green or vervet monkey ( Cercopithecus aethiops), red monkey ( Cercopithecus patas), and barbary ape ( Macaca sylvanus). Yet, the numerous charming representations of monkeys clearly convey the joy and amusement they were seen with in antiquity. Whether or not the monkeys’ role in ancient Egypt was purely for amusement or it also involved them assisting with various laborious tasks is an unresolved question. Their fondness of monkeys was also reflected in one of the names they gave them – Mer-redit – the love she gives. By portraying them close to their sides, ancient Egyptians believed to had insured their companionship and warmth in the beyond. These highly intelligent animals seem to had been viewed with considerable affection, to the extent that the tomb-owners wished to continue to enjoy their presence throughout eternity. One of the most beloved pets in ancient Egypt was a monkey, a jovial companion in the daily life of ancient Egyptians. Courtesy of the Australian Centre for Egyptology, Macquarie University, Sydney Hamadryas baboon collecting fruit/Kanawati & Evans (2014: pl.
