Reign of King Userkaf 5th Dynasty. Mortuary temple Saqqara. Ancient Egypt was alive with papyrus fields and an abundance of animal life. In the Afterlife, the king expected a beautiful place full of birds, animals papyrus lotus. Etc. Like the natural world he inhabited in life, but now it would last forever Here are beautifully observed birds: pied kingfisher Ibis, Heron Hoopee in a papyrus thicket.