Part donkey, part wild ass, the kunga is the oldest known hybrid bred by humans
The mysterious equines were bred in Syria 4,500 years ago, likely for use in warfare
![fossilized skeletons of four kungas lying side by side](https://i0.wp.com/www.sciencenews.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/011322_jb_kunga_feat.jpg?fit=1030%2C580&ssl=1)
Genetic analysis pegged these ancient and mysterious equine skeletons as donkey-wild ass hybrids. They were excavated from the 4,500-year-old burial complex at Umm el-Marra in northern Syria.
© Glenn Schwartz/Johns Hopkins University