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Using genomics on DNA collected from ancient horses that lived between 2,000 and 10,000 years ago, scientists have identified an area in western Eurasian steppe where the predecessors of modern horses came from.
Science mag News article here.
This is the second domestication of horses (DOM2) at about 4,200 years ago. The first domestication (DOM1), by the Botai, occurred further east, at about 5,500 years ago. Although there is evidence of the earlier horses having had bits in their mouths (from teeth ware), these are not the noble steeds of today's cowboys. Genetically, they are closely related to Przewalski's horse, a different species of now endangered wild horses. Its hypothesized that they were mostly herded for food and milk.
Genomic analysis indicates that two mutations might have been useful in their domestication. One is involved in controlling anxiety and aggression and the other maybe involved in having stronger backs.
The DOM1 animals did not have these mutations, and thus did not prosper in domestication.
Along similar lines, one might wonder why zebras were not domesticated, since they undoubtedly have a very long human adjacent history. Zebras have a reputation of being really nasty animals to try to handle. Very aggressive, with a reputation for biting and not letting go.
Science mag News article here.
This is the second domestication of horses (DOM2) at about 4,200 years ago. The first domestication (DOM1), by the Botai, occurred further east, at about 5,500 years ago. Although there is evidence of the earlier horses having had bits in their mouths (from teeth ware), these are not the noble steeds of today's cowboys. Genetically, they are closely related to Przewalski's horse, a different species of now endangered wild horses. Its hypothesized that they were mostly herded for food and milk.
Genomic analysis indicates that two mutations might have been useful in their domestication. One is involved in controlling anxiety and aggression and the other maybe involved in having stronger backs.
The DOM1 animals did not have these mutations, and thus did not prosper in domestication.
Along similar lines, one might wonder why zebras were not domesticated, since they undoubtedly have a very long human adjacent history. Zebras have a reputation of being really nasty animals to try to handle. Very aggressive, with a reputation for biting and not letting go.
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