Neolithic cattle domestication as seen from ancient DNA

摘要: THE EARLY NEOLITHIC comprises the time when pre-farming people became sedentary and subsequently began to domesticate plants animals. The first settlers appeared about 12,000 years ago in Middle Near East; Neolithic then expanded all over Europe from 7000 cal BC onwards. question is: did agro-pastoralists move Europe, together with their animals, or was it rather a cultural transfer where Mesolithic of adopted idea domestication? It is possible that animals were imported without major human migration. We know many plant species, some animal at least sheep goat, East, as no wild progenitors existed Europe. With regard domestic cattle (B. taurus), however, situation different. Its ancestor aurochs primigenius), which prevalent Asia North Africa. Therefore European remains potential progenitor northern breeds. Even if imported, still crossbreeding occurred. This could have happened either purposefully (for example, through young female being caught) unwillingly herds driven forests cows not be kept separate bulls). most up-to-date knowledge domestication achievement archaeological archaeozoological studies. morphological methods are based on size differences, domesticated usually smaller compared relatives. These measurements sometimes insecure due sexual dimorphism, high fragmentation bones, age nutritional status Morphological limited way these data cannot tell relation between populations reveal hybrids. information can only received molecular genetic data.