Egypt Museum

Herding Geese depicted within the Tomb of Nebamun, c. 1350 B.C.

▫ Ducks and geese were an important source of meat to the Ancient Egyptians. Both tomb and temple scenes depict such waterfowl being herded, plucked, and cooked. Goose fat and duck fat were also valued for cooking and perhaps for ointments.

Herding scenes show that the Egyptians kept flocks of waterfowl much like cattle, guiding them through enclosures, canals, and fields. Some scenes even show them being force-fed, suggesting an early form of fattening for feasting. Goose sacrifices are even attested in temple rituals, particularly in festivals of the gods. Duck was also left as funerary tribute, with mummified roast duck even being buried within the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Read more: https://egypt-museum.com/pets-in-ancient-egypt/