Domestication of the donkey: timing, processes, and indicators.

ABSTRACT: Domestication of the donkey from the African wild ass transformed ancient transport systems in Africa and Asia and the organization of early cities and pastoral societies. Genetic research suggests an African origin for the donkey, but pinpointing the timing and location of domestication has been challenging because donkeys are uncommon in the archaeological record and markers for early phases of animal domestication are hard to determine. We present previously undescribed evidence for the earliest transport use of the donkey and new paleopathological indicators for early phases of donkey domestication. Findings are based on skeletal data from 10 approximately 5,000-year-old ass skeletons recently discovered entombed in an early pharaonic mortuary complex at Abydos, Middle Egypt, and a con

SUBMITTER: Rossel S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2268817 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature