Between Heaven and Earth: Birds in Ancient Egypt

by Rozenn Bailleul-LeSuer (Editor)

Issued in conjunction with an exhibit at the Oriental Institute Museum at the University of Chicago, this is the first comprehensive study of birds in ancient Egyptian society, economy, art, and religion. Essays address the role of birds in the religious landscape, their use in hieroglyphic and Coptic scripts, birds as protective symbols, as decorative motifs, and as food. A group of essays on "Egyptian Birds and Modern Science" presents the newest forensic research on bird mummies. Other articles address bird behavior as shown in Egyptian art and the present state of avifauna in the Nile Valley. The catalog describes forty artifacts, many of which are previously unpublished. An index of bird species makes this volume useful for naturalists as well as for Egyptologists and art historians.

Genres: Egypt, Nonfiction, History

232 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2012

Reviews

[Connie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is hard to rate because it really depends if you're interested in birds and ancient Egypt and HOW interested you are. For me, fascinating. Love the bird details and mythology.

[Meri Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This extremely specific book is exactly what I needed for research for a writing project. It doesn't look like very many people have read it, but I am thrilled that it exists. Thank you, contributors, for writing about your niche area of expertise in a (mostly) accessible way.

[Malika-Liki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read.