For as long as humanity has attempted artistic expression of the world around it, the animal kingdom has been a primary object of this expression. The types of animals used by the ancients as models for their creative outlet can reflect not only the type of animals present in a particular culture, but also the way in which that culture related to various animal species. Which animals played a role of ritual life? Which were essential cogs in the economic machinery of the day? Fortunately, there are many and various form of animal representation available in existent antiquities. Beginning a modest collection of animal antiquities is as easy as finding a goat figurine.