几千 years ago, when humans first caught beasts for food, they discovered that their hides could be used to cover themselves and protect against the wind and cold. During religious rituals before hunting, they draped these hides over animal-shaped figures made of stones and mud for worship, which might have been the earliest form of animal标本. Over time, as the technology for preserving hides improved and demand increased, those who processed and tanned hides became one of the most important members in their tribes.