History regales us with tales of mighty armies swooping into battle on large, armored steeds. But before warhorses, Sumerians in southern Mesopotamia may have used donkey hybrids in battle, according to new research.
Before Horses, Hybrid Donkeys Were Once Used For Battle
After analyzing genomes from ancient equid skeletons, researchers may have discovered proof of the highly-regarded kunga.
By Monica Cull
Mar 8, 2022 10:25 PMMar 8, 2022 10:44 PM
Umm el-Marra (in northern Syria) is a 4,500-year-old princely burial complex. Several equids have been found on the site, buried in their own installations. (Credit: Glenn Schwartz / John Hopkins University)
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