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Mammals of Ancient Egypt

by Dale J.Osborn and Jana Osbornová

The Egyptians had a peculiarly close relationship with animals as every visitor to Egypt who is captivated by the paintings and reliefs of the flora and fauna becomes aware. Animals seem to penetrate into every aspect of their daily lives and religious beliefs; both as wild animals for hunting and domestic animals for food and companionship. This encyclopedic and authoritative book focuses on the mammals depicted by the Egyptians and the many roles they played: as gods, magical beings, medicine, food, for sport or simply as pets. Summaries are given of the present and past distributions of each species and there are extensive notes on their natural history. 224p, with many b/w pls (Aris & Phillips 1998)

Review Quote

"a useful introduction to the mammalian fauna of ancient Egypt"

Achilles Gautier
Chronique d'Egypte (2004)

Table of contents

Chapter headings follow the zoological scheme of mammal classification into Orders and Families: Chiroptera (bats), Insectivora (hedgehogs and shrews), Primates (baboons and monkeys), etc., in which species are described and discussed. Description, Natural History, Distribution, The Dynastic Period. One chapter is devoted to the gods Anubis, Seth and other fabulous animals

Biographical note

Dale J. Osborn is a zoologist who has taught and carried out research in many parts of the world including prolonged field research in Egypt. This resulted in the publication with I. Helmy of The Contemporary Land Mammals of Egypt, a study of the modern fauna. He was also a curator for several years in Brookfield Zoo, Chicago. Struck by the acute observation of the ancient Egyptians he has applied his zoological knowledge with his wife, Jana Osbornova, a lecturer in botany and a researcher in Egyptian vegetation, to the depictions of the animals of ancient Egypt.

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• Fish and Fishing in Ancient Egypt
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