An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c6.s6.1

v1.c6.s6.1

1.6.1 *Equus asinus* (ass). The modern domesticated ass is descended from the almost extinct species—*Equus asinus africanus*. It is believed to have been domesticated in Egypt in *c.* 2000 B.C. and was probably introduced into India during the period of contact between the Indus valley and the Near East (Wheeler, 1968), whence it spread to other parts of the subcontinent.