Animals played a significant role in the everyday lives and religion of the people of Ancient Egypt and frequently figure in Egyptian art. Many of the signs used in the hieroglyphic script are in the form of animals. Many of the Egyptian gods were identified with animals or shown in animal-headed forms. and sacred animals such as cats, ibises, bulls and even crocodiles were kept in temple enclosures. This guide surveys the many roles of Ancient Egyptian animals and illustrated in full-colour from the collections of the British Museum.
Introduction; A-Z index; Sacred animals; Animal-headed deities; Royal animals; Dangerous animals; Animals in agriculture; Pet animals; Exotic animals; Mythical animals; Animals in the hieroglyphic script