Crane

The Crane in Ancient Egypt


 * Egyptian Name:**

//Ga//

During the Old Kingdom the Common Crane, the Sandhill Crane, and the Demoiselle Crane were semi-domesticated and kept in enclosures. Cranes were fattened for the table and offered to the gods, and were a common tribute animal from Punt. According to the Harris Papyrus, the oblations Ramses III gave to the Temple of Amun at Karnak included 160 cranes. Occasionally cranes were kept as pets - one is even depicted sporting a collar.

The Waterfowl of Ancient Egypt