Abstract

From the Predynastic Period through the end of the Old Kingdom phenotypically diverse cattle existed in Egypt. In the literature, cattle from this time period are currently identified by their horns: the longhorn, shorthorn, and hornless. Identifying cattle based on the size of their horns is an inaccurate classification method because horn length and shape varies within a single breed due to factors such as age, sex, and diet, and the words used to describe length (short, medium, and long) are often subjective. This study analyses representations, textual evidence, and physical remains of ancient Egyptian domesticated cattle and attempts to group them into breeds based upon multiple physical characteristics. The goal is to determine the number of cattle breeds (phenotypically expressed) that existed from the Predynastic Period through the end of the Old Kingdom. In this study 'breed' is defined as a group of animals that, as a result of deliberate breeding by humans for selected traits, have certain distinguishable characteristics. The physical characteristics that are analyzed in order to group the cattle into breeds include: horn length and shape, general skull morphology, dewlap size, presence of a cervico-thoracic hump, back shape, tail length, switch shape, and coat color/s. An analysis of the available evidence suggests that there may have been up to six different breeds of cattle during this time period. Some breeds may have been brought from neighboring territories such as Nubia, Libya, and the Near East via trade and/or diplomatic/military missions, while some may have been indigenous to Egypt, the descendants of domesticated wild aurochson. The ancient Egyptians possibly had specialized breeding programs, in which they intentionally crossed different breeds of cattle in order to produce new breeds that were tailored to their needs.

Degree Name

MA in Egyptology & Coptology

Graduation Date

6-1-2018

Submission Date

May 2018

First Advisor

Ikram, Salima

Committee Member 1

Ayad, Mariam

Committee Member 2

Bertini, Louise

Extent

246 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

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