Bones and depictions found at Troy show how animals were part of life there. Some animals were raised for food and for their wool or hides. Also, some animals were probably chosen to be part of religious rituals, because such customs were common all over the Mediterranean area. A flock of sheep was as familiar a sight here 2,000 years ago as it is today.

Dogs helped with herding and hunting. Some would have been guard dogs and pets. Hunters could find prey like deer and wild boar in the foothills of Mount Ida.

The river delta and ocean brought Trojans a great variety of fish and shellfish. The rivers and delta waters naturally attracted birds. In the Greek world, water birds were often associated with the goddesses Hera and Artemis.

The hawk intent on its prey appears in Homer's Iliad as a symbol of power.

The lion is another symbol of power. There may have been lions near Troy, species of wild cats may have lived in the hills outside the city. This lion broke off from a larger sculpture. He may have had a role at Troy in the traditional lion- supported throne of Demeter, goddess of the harvest.

Homer refers to Troy as a place where horses are bred and tamed. Hector's tag name is "breaker of horses." Horse bones do appear at Troy, but not until Troy VI - the first of the levels in which a "Trojan war" might have been fought.