Camels in Europe: history of use and human perception

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Ulrich Schmölcke
• Subject Area: Prehistory and World Archaeology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 541380987

Camel remains are a very rare group of finds in European archaeology. Initial, mostly regional mapping indicates a focal distribution of the comparatively few records in the Mediterranean and Black Sea area. In this small project we want to compile all published and unpublished finds of Dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) and Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), date important finds and perform stable isotope analyses on selected pieces. The goal is to trace the history of distribution and dispersal, to find reasons for the introduction and later disappearance, and to understand the perception of these exotic animals by humans.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Ukraine
• International Co-Applicant: Dr. Yevheniia Yanish