8 Wild Animals Ancient Cultures Successfully Tamed (4 of 5)

The Ancient Egyptians (Baboons)

The wealthy elite of ancient Egypt forged a very interesting partnership with baboons, in particular the olive and hamadryas breeds. Neither primate was native to the lower Nile, necessitating their importation from modern-day Ethiopia and Somalia at a significant expense. The highly intelligent monkeys, as indicated by the artwork from the time, underwent training to pick fruit. Their menacing fangs and natural aggression helped deter would-be thieves in the bustling marketplaces. Since they typically greeted the rising sun with chatter, ancient Egyptians connected them to divinity and were known to mummify them after death and even bury them with full religious honors. 

The Incas of South America (Llamas)

While the Inca Empire of the Andes successfully domesticated a few animals, the llama was the only beast of burden with this distinction. While they were important sources of meat and wool, it is their ability to carry heavy loads up the mountains that truly made them essential. As a result, the Empire’s marketing system was largely built on being able to breed and distribute the animals throughout its massage territory. And much like the aforementioned turkeys in Aztec times, llamas were ritually sacrificed during sacred Inca ceremonies to appease the gods.