Understanding human-dog relationship : archaeological evidence for social bonds during the pharaonic period

Abstract EN

The ancient Egyptians were the pioneers in taming large number of domestic animals since the Prehistoric era and through the historic period.

The dogs have been closely related with the ancient Egyptians in every aspect of their lives.

The social bond between the ancient Egyptians and the animals, especially the dogs, is an intense one and is considered one of the ftmdamental marks of their civilization.

The basic objective of the study seeks to work towards a sound framework for analyzing, understanding the evidence of social compatibility between the ancicnt Egyptians and the dogs, and stress its consistency throughout the historical period.

The major sources of information that have been used are based on the site of their burials and mummifications, the inscriptions and labeled names dedicated to them, and the pictorial scenes of the dogs in the tombs and funerary stelae.