Detail of a Tomb Model of an Egyptian Slaughter House in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, December 2007

Slaughter House
Dynasty 11, ca. 2009-1998 BC
From Thebes, MMA 1101
Painted wood

Accession # 20.3.10

Two oxen are being slaughtered in the large hall. Their legs have been trussed together and two men are cutting their throats. Opposite these men, two others hold bowls to catch the blood which will be made into pudding by the men in the corner fanning fires under kettles. An overseer and a clerk, holding batons, superintend the slaughtering and the plucking of a goose. On the balcony above hang joints of meat. The cords holding joints of meat have been restored.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.