Domestication of the donkey: Timing, processes, and indicators

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0709692105
• Publication Date: 2008-03-11T03:34:04Z
• Authors: Stine Rossel; Fiona Marshall; Joris Peters; Tom Pilgram; Matthew D. Adams; David O'Connor
• Keywords: Ancient DNA; Southern Levant

Domestication of the donkey from African wild ass transformed ancient transport systems in Africa and Asia organization early cities pastoral societies. Genetic research suggests an origin for donkey, but pinpointing timing location domestication has been challenging because donkeys are uncommon archaeological record markers phases animal hard to determine. We present previously undescribed evidence earliest use new paleopathological indicators domestication. Findings based on skeletal data 10 approximately 5,000-year-old skeletons recently discovered entombed pharaonic mortuary complex at Abydos, Middle Egypt, a concurrent study 53 modern skeletons. Morphometric studies showed that Abydos metacarpals were similar overall proportions those ass, individual measurements varied. Midshaft breadths resembled midshaft depths distal intermediate between domestic donkey. Despite this, all exhibited range osteopathologies consistent with load carrying. Morphological similarities show that, despite their as beasts burden, still undergoing considerable phenotypic change during Dynastic period Egypt. This pattern is recent other animals suggest process slower less linear than thought.