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The tomb of Kagemni

a)- First register
Here are two similar scenes of bird hunting, using a hexagonal net. The one of left is preserved particularly well
 Both nets have been stretched close to a pool. In each case, beside the poll, stands a solitary palm tree.
When sufficient number of birds are under the net, the man on the right gives the signal and, with his three friends in front of him, they pull violently on the rope, closing the net and trapping the fowl. A few survive, distraught, to escape from the trap

On the right, the second scene shows a very full net. The man situated on the right holds a piece of material between his outstretched arms, a signal perhaps for his hidden friends to pull the rope 


b)- Second register
This is dedicated to a scene of poultry farming.




Three bird cages are represented side by side, surrounded by nets and with a roof sustained by sticks with forked ends  In front of the first lot of poultry stands a character holding a bag of grain on his right shoulder, letting the grain trickle to the ground. This is a typically conventional representation of Egyptian art, because the character wouldn't perform this action outside the cage of course; he would have entered the enclosure by the small door represented at the bottom. But as the artist would have had difficulty representing him inside, he is shown accomplishing his task "outside"



c)- Third register

A large portion of this register is destroyed, but it was dedicated to the force-feeding of geese ( The farmers sitting on the ground prepare pellets which others will forcefully introduce into the gullets of the unhappy birds. This all takes place under a supervisor's unavoidable gaze. Note the various attitudes of the ducks and geese.

d)- Fourth register
Remaining with the actions of force-feeding, this register is very different and a lot more dangerous. In fact it is the force-feeding of animals, in this case hyenas. These animals could never be domesticated, and this is why the Egyptians gave up their exploitation from the end of the Old Kingdom.
However, be that as it may, the scenes represented here are very interesting.



Photomontage of the scenes of force-feeding hyenas


On the left, an single individual forces pieces of poultry into the mouth of a hyena, with its back on the ground, bound by the paws. Further to the right, two men force-feed another animal, one holding it by the tail and the second by a rope around the neck. Next right, two men work around an upturned animal, its rear paws are bound but this is not true for its front paws, which are held by one of the men. Finally, a scribe sits with his back to the last two characters, making notes of everything. This report will be presented to Kagemni by his superior, standing in front of him.

e)- Fifth register
This one is very mutilated, showing some stalls with cattle, and the unavoidable scribe and foreman. Notice that two men work with a single cow, and also that the one doing the milking seems to grasp two different teats at the same time


f)- Sixth register
A drover with his ox and scribes, nothing much remains of them.

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