In the interfluves of great Central Asian rivers – Amudaryo and Sirdaryo – a desert kingdom of Qizilqum is located. According to scientists, this area can boast to have home-bred the two-humped camel Bactriana whose name indicates its Central Asian origins. In the old days, the extensive territories through the mid- and upstream Amudaryo were called Bactria. These lands, as scholars have asserted, were home to one-humped camel Dromedary.

   Valuable data on the origin of unique breed was received by Uzbek-Polish expeditions to Qizilqum Desert, the first results of which was published in the scientific work “Neolithic Monuments of Central Qizilqum” that was issued by Warsaw university. To a great extent, petroglyphs on rocks of remains of ancient mountains in Qizilqum area helped in restoring the history of domestication of a camel. By rock paintings scientists have retraced the stages of domestication of this wonderful animal. Owing to it the people received the unique means of transportation which for many centuries had provided contacts between civilizations of three mainlands – Asia, Africa and Europe.

The caravan of camels, loaded with silk and other goods, passed 20-30 kilometers per day. The same distance was between the most ancient hotels – carvonsaroys. Wells have also been dug on a way. Usually, the caravan consisted of several dozens of camels. The way to one and a half thousand kilometers was overcome in 50-60 days.

Its unusual qualities and, first of all endurance helped the camel to become the main vehicle on the Great Silk Road. A secret of its endurance is the ability acquired during the evolution, to sustain the body’s optimal temperature at the poor use of water. Besides, the camel is able to change a body temperature in a wide range.

Very long ago our fellow countrymen had also bred wonderful races of gallopers. Farg’ona Valley was famous for them up to the beginning of a new era.  For those racehorses in the year of 128 BC the first embassy of the Celestial Empire had arrived in Dawan - so the Chinese called the Valley at that time. Primarily they could not come to a deal about sale of heavenly horses as the Chinese called them. But after some time, the sale of bloodstock became the important income item of people of Farg’ona.

   For expansion of purchases of horses by the Chinese emperors some specialized markets – peculiar zones of free trade had been created in the country. Residents of Farg’ona and representatives of other regions of the ancient Uzbek land were among vendors there. The best horses were depicted by artists on walls of the emperor’s palace.

  Time has preserved a well-known Karakul sheep that was bred by ancestors of Uzbeks. This breed, as a result of centuries-old selection is well-adapted for the life in severe conditions of the desert of Qizilqum.

Karakul sheep is true national riches of Uzbekistan. From time immemorial its fur was in a great demand in the international market, as caught people’s fancy by its unique and diverse colorings.

Many countries tried to breed the Karakul sheep, yet not always it was possible. The matter is that this sheep is capable to produce fur of full value only in conditions close to its home land – the Qizilqum. Here in search of forage the sheep passes about 30 kilometers a day. Even 50 degree centigrade is nothing to the sheep. This unpretentious animal finds the forage even there where other animal would die of starvation. Water containing ten grams of salts in a liter is even suitable for this unusual sheep. Only in such severe conditions the sheep feels perfect and produces such a fine fur. Today, the work of national breeders is continued by fellows of the Scientific Research Institute in Samarqand.