There are a lot of domesticated animals smaller than cattle that the brands could have been used on.
Off the top of my head, Egyptian society used sheep, goats, and donkeys.
As you stated, the evidence is tenuous at best.
Edit: I re-read the article and the author discusses the idea of branding goats or donkeys, but doesn't actually address it, merely stating 'other options must be explored'. Which is fine, but the rest of the article only examines why they could be used for branding people, not why it is more likely than the usage of these brands for smaller livestock.
2dTom t1_iwbjy5o wrote
Reply to comment by _Patrao_ in Slaves were brutally branded in ancient Egypt, research shows by Rear-gunner
There are a lot of domesticated animals smaller than cattle that the brands could have been used on.
Off the top of my head, Egyptian society used sheep, goats, and donkeys.
As you stated, the evidence is tenuous at best.
Edit: I re-read the article and the author discusses the idea of branding goats or donkeys, but doesn't actually address it, merely stating 'other options must be explored'. Which is fine, but the rest of the article only examines why they could be used for branding people, not why it is more likely than the usage of these brands for smaller livestock.