Historians believe that falconry may have begun in Mesopotamia as long as 4,000 years ago, but this particular style of hunting with eagles on horseback dates back roughly 1,000 years. Various nomadic tribes from the Middle East and Western Asia trained golden eagles, falcons, and hawks to ride out to the mountains with them, and when the bird spotted a hare or fox, it flew out, caught the animal, and brought it back to the rider on the horse. Many people in Mongolia continue to hunt in this traditional fashion today. Our photo of an eagle hunter was taken in the Altai Mountains of western Mongolia, where many ethnic Kazakh eagle hunters fled during the communist era of Kazakhstan.
On the hunt
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Can you see the family resemblance?
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Roman theater of Cartagena, Spain
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In memory of those lost
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San Francisco’s City Hall illuminated by the iconic colors of Pride
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Celebrating the Acadians
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On the rebirth of the Olympic Games
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Aýna, Albacete, Spain
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The dancing trees of Sumba Island
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Sutherland Falls in Fiordland National Park
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Chocolate Hills
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A toast to California!
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World Bee Day
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Welcome to the Year of the Pig
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Penguins can t fly!
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A big place to shop small
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Shark Awareness Day
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Old Rock Day
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Indigenous Peoples Day
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A universe underground
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Fashion models of the avian world
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All eyes on moths
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Alaska Bald Eagle Festival
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World Jellyfish Day
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Mossy Grotto Falls, Oregon
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Fin whales: A success story
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Happy Holi!
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Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park, Washington
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Diwali lights in Guwahati, India
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World Teachers Day
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This grizzly has Napping Day down