An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c6.s6.2
An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c6.s6.2
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v1.c6.s6.2
Two wild species, *Equus hemionus kiang*, Tibetan wild ass, and *Equus hemionus khur*, Indian wild ass, are found today in the n. and w. (Rann of Kutch) respectively. The former is not domesticated, while the latter is readily tamed when young. Despite its potential usefulness (transport, milk, dung), its skeletal remains occur only infrequently. It is possible that the taboo on eating its flesh was applied because of its close affinity with the horse. Very occasionally the ass was used as a sacrificial animal (e.g. NAGARJUNAKONDA).