Did camels exist during biblical times?

The question of whether camels existed during biblical times has been a topic of debate among scholars for many years. Some argue that the domestication of camels did not occur until much later in history, while others point to archaeological evidence that suggests camels were present in the Middle East during the time of the Bible.

One of the main arguments against the presence of camels in biblical times is that there is no mention of them in early biblical stories. For example, Abraham, who lived around 2000 BCE, is described as owning many animals, but there is no mention of camels. Similarly, the story of Joseph, which takes place in Egypt during the same period, does not mention camels, even though they were commonly used in Egypt at the time.

However, other scholars argue that the absence of camels in early biblical stories may simply be due to the fact that they were not yet commonly used for transportation or as pack animals. It is believed that the domestication of camels in the Middle East began around the 10th century BCE, which would explain why they are not mentioned in earlier stories.

Furthermore, recent archaeological evidence suggests that camels were present in the Middle East during the time of the Bible. A study published in the journal Tel Aviv in 2013 found that camel bones dating back to the 10th century BCE were discovered in sites throughout Israel. The bones were found in association with pottery and other artifacts from the same period, suggesting that camels were used as pack animals during this time.