The first purebred horses were closed and milking

A group of international archaeologists recently discovered the earliest evidence of domesticated horses. The findings may indicate the time of domesticated as well as the origin of the breeds we know today. Led by University of Exeter and Bristol (UK), the study was published on Friday, March 6, 2009 in Science.

Researchers have found the time of domesticated horses originated 5,500 years ago in the Botai culture, Kazacstan . This time is 1000 years earlier than previous comments, and 2000 years earlier than when domesticated horses were present in Europe. Their findings clearly demonstrate that the original domesticated horse was not for riding, but for providing food, including milk.

Through extensive archaeological practice and accompanying analyzes, the team developed three independent lines of evidence for early horse taming events. Their findings show that horses in the 4th millennium BC in Kazakhstan were selected for use. They also showed that they were closed, probably to ride, and people used horse milk.

Bone analysis showed that horses at the time were quite similar to domesticated horses in the Bronze Age but different from wild horses in the same area. This means that humans have chosen wild horses based on physiological characteristics, which are enhanced through reproduction.

The team used a new technique to search for the 'danger' of horse saddle closure and bridle use. The result is that horses are actually closed, and perhaps they are used for riding.

Evidence of the use of leather reins shows people riding horses from 5,500 years ago. (Photo: Sandra Olsen, Olsen Natural History Museum)

New method of fat analysis helps researchers learn about Botai pottery and detect fat traces from horse milk. Milk of mares is still used by the Kazechis, which is a country in which horse-related traditions are deeply rooted in culture. Horse milk is also often fermented to create a mild alcoholic drink called horse milk wine.While we know that horse milk wine has been produced for centuries, this study shows that this work stems from early horse breeders.

The main author of the study, Dr. Alan Outram of the University of Exeter, said: 'The domesticated horse has great economic and social significance, promoting communication, transport, food production as well as war. Our findings indicate that horses are domesticated 1,000 years before the old time. This is very significant because it changes our understanding of the development path of ancient society. '

The steppe regions east of the Ural mountain in northern Kazakhstan are known for the proper environment for wild horses thousands of years ago. They are mainly hunted species. This may have laid the foundations for horse domestication by providing indigenous culture with access to wild herds, as well as the opportunity to gain knowledge about horse behavior.

Horses have the advantage of adapting to harsh seasons, they can also eat grass throughout the year despite snow. Cattle, sheep and de need to be supplied with hay in the winter, they are added to the region's prehistoric economy afterwards.

This study was conducted by the University of Exeter, Bristol and Winchester (England), Carnegie Museum of Natural History (Pittsburgh, USA) and Kokshetau University (Kazacstan). The research was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council, the British Academy and the US National Science Foundation.

Refer:
Outram et al.The Earliest Horse Harnessing and Milking.Science, 2009;323 (5919): 1332 DOI: 10.1126 / science.1168594