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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A look at Uranus, seventh planet from the sun
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Time for brass bands and beer
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Monarch butterflies migrate south
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The fantastic winter fox
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A star is borne by seaweed
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Westerheversand Lighthouse
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Cherry blossoms spring to life
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Aýna, Albacete, Spain
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Glacier cave in Iceland
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Greetings from Asbury Park
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The owl that loved football
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World Migratory Bird Day
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It s Computer Science Education Week
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Love blossoms
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The Alhambra in Granada, Spain
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Swinging into International Jazz Day
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Tigh Mor Trossachs on Loch Achray, Scotland
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A splash by the sea
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Happy Father s Day
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Festivus
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Whatever floats your boat
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Celebrating a young girl s age-old discovery
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Meet our fuzzy Earth Day mascot
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Float on
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Puma in Patagonia
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Just another day in paradise
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Haghartsin Monastery, Armenia
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Manatee Appreciation Day
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A Great view from above
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International Mountain Day