In the early 2000s, archaeologists working in modern-day Syria unearthed the complete skeletons of 25 horse-like animals in a spectacular burial complex that also contained human skeletons along with gold, silver, and other precious materials. The 4,300 year-old tombs were in the ancient Mesopotamian city of Umm el-Marra.
Many of the equids had apparently been killed, perhaps sacrificed, before burial. Their bones were different in shape than those of horses, donkeys, asses, and other modern equids. For years, researchers questioned whether these could be the remains of kungas, powerful horse-like hybrids highly prized by the Mesopotamians and mentioned in various written records.
Genetic analysis has now revealed that the equid skeletons discovered at Umm el-Marra were indeed hybrids, almost certainly the fabled kungas, making them the earliest-known hybrids bred by humans. The researchers behind the study, published today (January 14) in Science Advances, also identified which species the Mesopotamians probably ...
