Ancient times

(before the Common Era)

The age when humans took their first steps in understanding nature and forming early relationships with animals. It was a time when people began to realise that animals were not only a source of food but also powerful allies in the struggle to survive. Relationships with animals became key to the survival and development of human societies.

Prehistoric

(before 10,000 BC)

In this period animals played a key role in everyday life. They were not only food but also took part in hunting and in guarding camps. Mammoths and wild boar, for example, were among the main sources of food in the Ice Age.

Animal skins were used to make clothing and shelters. Cave paintings often show large mammoths, which reflects how important these animals were to life at the time.

Animals as a means of survival

1

Taming the wolf: the start of a new era

Stages of domestication:

2

Early partnership: People began to notice that some wolves that came close to their camps were not only harmless but also helped to fend off other wild animals. Gradually this grew into a partnership between people and wolves in which both sides benefited.

Living alongside people:

Domestication:

This was the first real step towards the modern pet. As wolves gradually became less aggressive, they began to help with hunting, becoming not only allies but also protectors.

The wolves' appearance began to change; they became friendlier, and their behaviour and habits adapted to life close to people.

Hunting and protection

Hunting with birds of prey:

Much later, in some ancient cultures of the Middle East and Central Asia, people trained birds of prey such as falcons and hawks to catch game. This became a unique way of working with wild nature.

Humans and wild animals:

Protecting the camp:

Wolves that had become human companions helped to protect herds and camps. Their protective role was vital for survival, as attacks by wild predators and other tribes were common.

Living in harmony with nature

Taming wolves was not only about their usefulness in hunting. It was the first stage of a relationship in which both sides gained. These bonds can be seen as the basis for later cultural practices such as totemism, the belief in sacred animals on which the fate of the tribe depended.

Myths and rituals

In different cultures animals were revered and used in rituals. The

bear and the wolf were often symbols of strength and courage in myths. Some tribes held special ceremonies in which animals were offered as sacrifices.

Animal cults:

Wolves and other wild animals played a key role in the symbolism of the time. Palaeolithic art often shows animals linked with the spirits of ancestors, hunting and protection.

Food and everyday life

The meat and skins of animals such as mammoths and deer were not only food but also materials for everyday needs: clothing, shelter and tools.

Animals in art

Cave paintings —

the most important source of information about ancient relationships with animals. Pictures of animals on cave walls, especially mammoths and deer, show a deep connection with nature and respect for these creatures. There are also images of mythical beings in which animals play a key role as spiritual allies.