The function of cats

Most of what we know about the function of cats comes from scenes depicted in paintings on the wall of tombs.

• In the scenes, cats are shown laying or sitting below chairs, playing or chasing after birds. 
• In some mortuary texts, they are also shown with a dagger, cutting through the snake deity Apopis, who threatens the sun god Ra.
• In the Tomb of Nebamun, one painting shows a cat accompanying Nebamun while fishing and fowling.