We have this odd idea in our heads of ancient times being static and isolated. But trade from one end of Europe to the Near East was hardly unknown, especially during the Roman period. There’s absolutely nothing unbelievable about the remains of camels (both Dromedary and Bactrian) being found throughout Europe. And it’s a very cool thought.
Were there camels in Roman Britain? A brief note on the nature and context of the London camel remains
The following note looks briefly at the question of camels in Roman Britain. Recent work has demonstrated that both dromedaries (or Arabian camels) and Bactrian camels were indeed in use across much of Europe during the Roman…
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Imagine, if you will, a peasant near London spotting a string of such beasts on a road while they were working in a nearby field – and trying to convince their fellow villagers that yes, they really did see it. 🙂
In an Empire built on conquest and trade, it'd be quite likely to turn up in areas with major trade routes.
+Valdis Klētnieks – It might be like seeing a group of Ferraris for the first time, something at once familiar and yet exotic.
+Michael Verona Yes, but for a Ferrari, you have lots of reference points in the form of other cars.
Imagine you just saw an Apollo LEM. Describe it to somebody who (a) hasn't seen one and (b) thinks you've been into the beer a bit too hard again… 🙂
+Valdis Klētnieks But would a peasant seeing a camel simply consider it an exotic beast of burden — a long-necked ox, or strange-towed donkey, or awkward-gaited horse — and so have a reference? I mean, yeah, crazy looking, but a lot less incomprehensible than, say, an elephant or a giraffe, esp. as used by the caravan.