Camel Corps of the Arab Legion (Anti-Axis) at rifle practice, World War II.

Ancient trading networks and Arabian camel diversity

A study of modern and ancient camel DNA finds that the movement of ancient caravan routes may have shaped the genetic diversity of Arabian camels. Despite the widespread use of camels in hot, arid conditions for the past 3,000 years, little is known about their evolutionary history and domestication. To examine the population structures of wild and extinct Arabian camels, Pamela Burger and colleagues examined the genetic diversity of almost 1,100 modern Arabian camels, or dromedaries, from across the species’ range, and analyzed ancient DNA from wild and early-domesticated Arabian camels. The authors found substantial shared genetic variation in modern camel populations, possibly due to the use of camels in long-distance caravan networks. 

The authors also identified a genetically distinct camel population in Eastern Africa, which may have been relatively isolated due to geographic, physiological, and cultural barriers. Analysis of ancient DNA from up to 7,000-year-old dromedary specimens suggested that domesticated camels originated from wild populations in the Southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula, consistent with archaeological findings. Read more.

The 1st US Camel Corps, 1856.

The use of camels for warfare has gone back for thousands of years as the camel has many advantages over the traditional horse.  In dry arid deserts a camel can function for up to a week without water and can cross desert terrain to rough for horses.  While not as fast or maneuverable as a horse, a camel is a much larger animal which lends to an intimidation factor in battle.  These were the same arguments made by Capt. George H. Crossman, a Mexican American War veteran who was accustomed to operating and fighting in dry desert conditions.  Throughout the 1850’s Capt. Crossman preached to all who would listen, espousing the view that the US Army should adopt camels for use on the western frontier.

In 1855 he got his chance when Secretary of War Jefferson Davis approved his plan to assemble an experimental camel corps.  With $30,000 dollars Capt. Crossman and his associate Major Henry C. Wayne purchased 76 camels from Greece, Malta, Turkey, and Egypt along with 5 experienced Bedouin handlers.

In 1856 the camels landed at Indianola, Texas and were driven Camp Verde for assignments.  Once there the men were trained by the camel handlers how to ride, care for, and command their camels.  From 1856 to 1860 the 1st US Camel Corps patrolled the southwest.  The Camel Corps even conducted exploratory surveys and mapping expeditions Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and California.  Early results of the experiment showed great success, as the animals easily operated in the deserts of the southwest.  Furthermore the camels proved that they could cross rugged terrain that horses could not go.  If it wasn’t for the American Civil War, John Wayne and the Lone Ranger may have ridden camels instead of the horses.

In 1860 with tensions rising between the north and the south, the US Army began to consider a war fought in the east.  Regular cavalry was given priority over experimental camelry and in 1861 the US Camel Corps was disbanded.  Some were sold to the public, most were turned loose into the wild.  As a result the southwest actually sported a small population of wild camels.  The last camel sighting occurred in 1941 near Douglas, Texas.

“The U.S. Camel Corps (possibly a retronym) was a mid-nineteenth century experiment by the United States Army in using camels as pack animals in the Southwest United States.

While the camels proved to be hardy and well-suited to travel through the region, the Army declined to adopt them for military use. Horses were frightened of the unfamiliar animals, and their unpleasant dispositions made them difficult to manage.”

pictured: a drawing of camels being unloaded along the Mississippi River.