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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Science
Vishwam Sankaran

Roman military officers kept monkeys as companions and even gave them their own pets

Roman military officers stationed in Egypt kept pet monkeys imported from India as a symbol of wealth, according to a new study of an ancient animal cemetery containing the bodies of dozens of macaques.

The ancient cemetery in Berenike on the east coast of Egypt was first discovered in 2011, with researchers excavating almost 800 burials at the site to date.

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