Camelology: definitions, history and scientific challenges
Abstract
Since centuries, the camel is fascinating scientists over the world. If the first scientific investigations were focused on his remarkable adaptability to desert conditions and to his health management in the context of colonial expansion of European countries in desert areas, recent researches have mobilised several specific disciplines as archaeology, physiology, immunology, breeding and genetics, parasitology, surgery, imaging, diseases, food sciences, economy, or sociology. However, the camel can be regarded as a “full scientific object” legitimising the use of the word “camelology”. Present paper is an overview of chronological development of camel cultures, production and science.