Evolution of the role of the camel in ancient times

Mozhganrostami¹ Ardashir Javanmardzadeh²

1) Postdoctoral Researcher University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil,
2) Associate Professor of Department of Archeology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil,

IOI Code : AZAA-AZDGKE
Publication : 1ST International Congress of Nature-based Ecological Restoration (Emphasizing the Conservation of Bactrian Camels)(neruma.ir)
Abstract :
    Abstract The domestication of camels took place in natural habitats in south-eastern Arabia and south-western Central Asia at the beginning of the third millennium BC. In the course of the domestication of camels, they were used in several phases, e.g., as harvest and transport animals (carrying, riding) and as military animals. At the beginning of the period of the first millennium BC, new types of saddles based on domestic animals such as camels were identified. The arid regions of Africaand Eurasia promoted the increasing superiority of camels over wheels and means of transportation, as well as the use of cavalry. The camel family comprises two species, one-humped and two-humped camels. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the history of the development and domestication of camels in antiquity and their use in human societies. In this article, the following questions are analyzed using the study library method The evolution of the importance of camels compared to other animals in ancient times? What is the importance of camel in religious beliefs and beliefs? In the history of human civilization, especially in the continents of Asia and Africa, camels have played a significant role in traveling the roads for the purpose of moving goods and also in the course of wars. Archaeological documents talk about the existence of two-humped camels in Iran before Islam. The two-humped camel, in fact, contrary to what is popular today, in ancient Iran, it was considered as one of the native and domesticated animals of the land of Iran. During the researches, the breed of bacterial or two-humped camels is a native animal of the Iranian plateau, and one-humped camels have been found in Arab lands. The role of the camel in religious beliefs related to gods has been used as a symbol on various works and objects.

Keywords : camel ancient societies role of camel religious beliefs