King of The Desert: The Camel’s Impact on History

Did you know that the camel is not originally a desert animal? Or that it currently has a cousin living at the heights of Machu Picchu in Peru? Having lived in Dubai for the past 10 years, I’ve observed the camel’s significant importance to the local culture and traditions of the Gulf region. As I recently explored this topic further, I’ve also developed a greater appreciation for the beast. Join me in discovering their story and their profound impact on various iconic civilizations over the years.

Throughout history, a select group of animals has significantly influenced the course of human civilizations. Horses, with their speed and power, have shaped warfare and transportation across open terrains. Elephants, with their formidable size and strength, have been paramount in war, labor, and ceremonies, especially in the Asian subcontinent. Yet, camels emerge as unparalleled in the realm of resilience and endurance, particularly in challenging desert landscapes. Depending on geography and inherent challenges faced, civilizations have sometimes leaned towards the horse’s swiftness, the elephant’s might, or the camel’s tenacity. In vast deserts where water sources were sparse, the camel often had the edge due to its ability to traverse long distances without hydration.

The Past: Did you know the camel is native to the Americas?

The origin of the camel is fascinating, though not widely known. The camel’s ancestry traces back to the Americas, with the earliest appearing around 40 million years ago, evolving from its oldest known rainforest ancestor, the Protylopus. The Protylopus was initially smaller in stature than present-day camels, measuring less than one meter in length and 30 kg in weight. The old camelids evolved and dwelled in the Americas until 7 million years ago when the Paracamelus migrated across the Bering land bridge into Asia, where the camel evolved and adapted to the diverse and extreme temperature differences of the Eurasian steppes and desert landscapes. Today, this is where we find the two-humped camel — the Bactrian Camel.

Drawing of the Protylopus — alleged grandfather of camel

From Asia, the camel spread to Africa, leading to the evolution of the dromedary camels, adapted to hot desert climates — the type we are most familiar with. Today, camels can be found all over the world. They were transported to Australia by the British in the 1800s to help with the exploration of the arid and challenging inlands. They can even be found in South America in a ‘hump-less edition’. Few know this fact, but curepresentsddly and fuzzy llamas and alcapas are camelidae that evolved for millions of years cousins under distinct environmental conditions than their cousins.

Exhibit 1: Camelidae family throughout history Over the millions of years that followed, a different genus of camels evolved, leading to the modern camelus (camels) and lamini (llamas) we know today.

Few types of camels exist under the surviving camelus genes, owing their characteristics to the currently unique landscapes and dwellings.

• Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius): Also known as the Arabian camel, this species has a single hump and is native to the Middle East and the Horn of Africa. However, they have been introduced to other parts of the world, including Australia, where they are now feral in large numbers.

• Bactrian Camel (Camelus bactrianus): This species has two humps and is native to Central Asia. Bactrian camels are adapted to cold desert conditions, mainly found across Central Asian countries and western China.

• Wild Bactrian Camel (Camelus ferus): A wild relative of the domestic Bactrian camel mostly found in isolated parts of China and Mongolia. This species is critically endangered, with only 1100 animals alive.

Camel distribution around the glove (Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production)

The Great Rivalry: Where does the camel outside his humpless peer

In the context of desert warfare and transportation, the camel is king. Adapted for arid conditions, camels excel in sandy terrains. They can achieve speeds ranging from 40–65 km/h, thanks to their broad, cushioned feet that provide stability on sand. Furthermore, camels are renowned for their impressive carrying capacity, bearing loads than can often exceed 200kg. Their endurance is noteworthy, being able to journey up to 40 km daily without water, making them indispensable for desert campaigns and trade routes. Their significance is underscored by their ability to maintain consistent speed and load-bearing across vast desert expanses.

In contrast, horses are generalists, versatile across a variety of terrains but especially adept on solid grounds where they can gallop at impressive speeds of up to 70 km/h. However, their efficiency decreases on sandy surfaces. Horses also require regular hydration and rest intervals. Their easier trainability and widespread presence across various geographies have made them the primary choice for battle globally. Their agility, speed, and responsiveness have been leveraged in numerous military strategies, making them more predominant in warfare compared to camels.

Exhibit 2: Head-to-Head: Horse vs. Camel

Horses excel in speed and agility and are great for combat in most terrains; camels thrive in the desert with higher endurance, carrying capacity, and water conservation. Both have unique strengths.

Impact on Human History: Camels were crucial to the supremacy of various civilizations

As a specialist of arid environments, camels played a pivotal role in the ascendancy of various civilizations. Throughout history, many empires have recognized and harnessed the value of these resilient animals in their military endeavors, but also mainly in their logistics and transport systems or as even as an food sources in desperate times.

I’d like to put a dim spotlight on 8 prominent civilizations and empires that the camel aided in their rise to power and prosperity.

1. Native American Tribes (10,000 BC — 8,000 BC) While Camelops, which are currently extinct, weren’t domesticated like their future camelus counterparts, they provided early Native American tribes with sustenance and materials. Some tribes even considered them symbols of status, indicating a tribe’s wealth and prowess.

2. Ancient South Arabian Kingdoms (1200 BC — 275 AD) The Sabeans and other South Arabian Kingdoms’ prosperity relied heavily on trade, with camels playing an integral role. The Incense Route, spanning thousands of miles and connecting various kingdoms, saw camel caravans transporting luxury goods. The Queen of Sheba’s famed visit to King Solomon, bearing spices, gold, and precious stones, was said to have been carried on a convoy of camels, highlighting their significance in diplomacy and trade.

3. Assyrian Empire (900 BC — 600 BC) The Assyrians, known for their extensive territories and formidable army, integrated camels into their military logistics. In the desert outskirts of the empire, where horses and chariots struggled, camels provided the strategic edge, allowing for faster troop movements and supply transport. Assyrian King Ashurbanipal’s conquests into arid regions like Arabia were said to have benefited from the camel corps. He once remarked, “With the speed of my horses and the endurance of my camels, we conquer.”

4. The Achaemenid (Persian) Empire (550 BC - 330 BC) While horses were the mainstay of Persian cavalry, camels found roles in desert regions where traditional cavalry struggled. The Royal Road, stretching from Susa to Sardis, was patrolled and maintained using camels, ensuring efficient communication and trade. King Cyrus the Great, in his conquests, employed camels for their ability to carry heavy supplies, noting, “A well-fed camel is as loyal and effective as a thousand soldiers.”

5. Mongol Empire (1200 AD - 1370 AD) The Mongol Empire, while primarily reliant on horses, recognized the camel’s advantages in certain campaigns. When moving westward, the Mongols employed Bactrian camels to traverse the treacherous Gobi Desert. The camels’ capacity to transport heavy loads played a pivotal role in sustaining the Mongol army during prolonged campaigns. Genghis Khan reputedly remarked, “The strength of a wolf is in its pack, and the strength of a camel is in its endurance.”

6. Islamic Caliphates (600 AD - 1300 AD) Camels were indispensable in the vast Islamic territories. Their ability to thrive in desert terrains gave Muslim armies a strategic advantage. Notable conquests like the Battle of Qadisiyyah, which saw the Persian Empire’s defeat, utilized camels for quick reinforcements. These beasts also facilitated trade, connecting cities like Damascus, Baghdad, and Cordoba.

7. Ottoman Empire (1300 AD - 1900 AD) The Ottomans, spanning three continents, utilized camels mainly in Arabian and North African territories. In military expeditions to places like Egypt, camels were pivotal in transporting artillery across the desert. Their endurance allowed for sustained campaigns, giving the Ottomans a strategic edge in expansion.

8. Bedouin Societies (1000 AD - 1900 AD) For the nomadic Bedouins, camels were more than just beasts of burden — they were central to their way of life. They shaped trade rhythms, were used in skirmishes for resources, and even played roles in tribal conflicts. Skirmishes over precious resources, such as water and grazing grounds, were common among the Bedouin tribes. In these confrontations, camels were used as mounts, offering a vantage point in battle due to their height. Their speed and agility in sandy terrains often gave Bedouin warriors an edge over their adversaries.

Wrap-Up: The towering symbol of the desert culture

From the ancient plains of North America to Mongolia’s steppes and the heart of the Middle East, camels have intricately woven their narratives into the fabric of human history. Over the past few hundred years, the camel was replaced by human technology as a transportation vehicle despite still being relied on by nomads and desert dwellers. However, these noble creatures represent mainly enduring cultural and historical symbols in select modern societies. In regions like the Gulf and even Australia, their legacy thrives, and the animal is celebrated in various iconic festivals such as camel racing, beauty contests (fun fact: where camels have been disqualified for having botox done on their lips), and other entertaining events. The fastest and most beautiful camels can often fetch millions of dollars!