ANIMAL NECKBAND ORNAMENTS IN THE OLD KINGDOM SCENES

Abstract

: This paper studies the animal neckband ornaments during the old kingdom through tomb scenes. The goal is to determine their types , define the cattle species wearing these neckbands and finally determine the occasion during which they were worn. The available evidence suggests that cattle neckbands were widely used throughout the old kingdom, there are five distinct types found in tomb scenes of officials during this period. The majority of animal neckbands were most likely worn for aesthetic purposes, rather than for any religious purpose. All animal neckbands are comprised of a collar, then another main part which hangs down and is differentiated between the five types. The author investigates the expansion of these types in many tombs of Giza, Saqqara, Mier, El Hawawish and Qubbet el Hawa. The main goal is to examine this phenomenon in the daily life context without dealing with religious context. The analytical study has suggested that neckband ornaments may be used to indicate the high value of the animal possessed, and it might be a remarkable sign of a good offering to the owner.