The Roots of Falconry

falcon image on papyrus

Falconry dates back centuries.

Falconry has been around for 4000 years. Its history has been traced as far back as 2000 B.C. through ancient writings, artifacts, and art. It developed in the ancient civilizations of the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.

The ancient Egyptians worshiped a falcon god called Horus and trained raptors on perches are depicted in Egyptian art.

greek mosaic

Falconry in ancient Greece.

By the second century A.D. falconry had spread into Asia and by the fourth century it had spread further into Europe. Most people’s knowledge of falconry stems from its popularity in medieval Europe and the middle east during the middle ages. It sometimes is called the “sport of kings” because of its association with the ruling classes and royalty of these early societies. With the advent of gunpowder and firearms in the 17th Century, falconry as a means of obtaining food declined.  In the early 1900’s falconry was reborn in the U.S. and Europe as hunting sport and its popularity has been increasing ever since.