Choose one animal species (a mammal, a bird, a reptile, an amphibian, a fish, or an invertebrate) and examine its role in the daily lives and culture of ancient Egypt, ancient Greece OR ancient Rome. Be sure to consider primary evidence (art, archaeological evidence, and texts) in your assessment.
Divide your project into the following labelled sections:
1. Species information
Include general details such as the animals’ appearance, distribution, habitat, general behaviour, etc.
2. Archaeological evidence (if any)
Describe any physical remains (e.g. bones, teeth, mummies etc) that have been uncovered, or artefacts and/or structures that were once associated with the species (e.g. barns, stables, beehives, harnessing, collars, etc)
3. Role in daily life
E.g., was the animal hunted, used as food, as pets, in agriculture, etc?
4. Representations in art
How was the animal represented in 2D and 3D representations, if any?
5. References in texts
E.g., in myths, stories, fables, epithets, inscriptions, etc.
6. Role in religion
What was the religious, symbolic and/or philosophical significance of the animal, if any?
7. Conclusion
Summarise your findings and assess the impact that the animal had on the culture.
Notes:
Be as thorough as possible. For example, bees in ancient Egypt could include everything from apiculture and the production of honey to their representation in Egyptian art and hieroglyphs, references to bees in ancient texts, and their symbolic and religious meaning in ancient Egyptian culture.
You may include illustrations if you wish, either within the text or in an appendix at the end.