A lasso, also called reata or lariat, is a type of rope used for restraint. It is tied into a noose; the rope must be of stiff build as to keep the noose open. The lasso is tossed at a target, ensnaring it and tightening when pulled. The most common use is for restraining livestock such as cattle. The earliest known use of the lasso comes from approximately 1280 BCE, based on Ancient Egyptian relief carvings in Abydos. From here, lassos spread into Eurasia and were widely employed by the Huns, the Sagartians, the Tartars, the Sami, and many others. More recently (and famously), lassos were brought into use in Mexico and South America by cowboys in the booming ranching industry, and then adopted by American cowboys who learned from their Mexican counterparts.
