Domestication debate of the horse
New scientific research has recently uncovered a breakthrough in horse history. Scientists from the University of Exeter now suspect that horses were tamed and domesticated nearly 1000 years previously to original thoughts.
Previously horse researchers believed that equine animals were originally domesticated in the Bronze Age when they discovered metal parts used for harnessing the animals.
Yet new research in Kazakhstan found evidence to suggest that the animals were harnessed and rode from an ancient Botai culture in now modern north Kazakhstan. However the analysis of the new horse bones found show that the jaw bones could have sustained damaged by tools used to control them.
The scientists also discovered that similar to modern day Kazakhstan culture, the Botai people used horse milk and meat to supplement their diets. Horse milk has long been fermented to produce an alcoholic substance called koumiss.
This recent discovery sheds new light on the evolution of civilisation, as the domestication of the horse was a clear indication of refining cultures. The use of the horse as a beast of burden increased the opportunities for trade and also warfare; so if the original date of horse taming is pushed further back the implications of on the evolvement of humanity are also affected.
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August 12th 2009