Ancient DNA Chronicles 11,000 Years of Genetic Ties Linking Sheep and Humanity
The Role of Sheep in Human History
Sheep have been essential to human existence for over 11,000 years offering protein-rich milk, warm wool and a reliable meat source.
Decoding the Prehistoric History of Sheep
An international team of geneticists from Trinity College Dublin and zooarchaeologists from LMU Munich and SNSB has decoded the prehistoric cultural history of this species, analyzing 118 genomes from archaeological bones spanning 12,000 years from Mongolia to Ireland.
Major Findings Published in Science
The discoveries have been officially published in Science.
Early Sheep-Herding Practice in Aşıklı Höyük
The earliest sheep-herding village in the study, Aşıklı Höyük in central Türkiye, contains genomes that appear ancestral to later populations in the region supporting an origin linked to the capture of wild mouflon over 11,000 eyars ago in the western part of the northern Fertile Crescent.
Evidence of Early Human Influence on Sheep Populations
by 8,000 years ago, in the earliest European sheep populations, the team identified evidence that farmers were intentionally selecting for certain traits, particularly those related to coat color. This, alongside similar findings in goats, represents the earliest proof of humans actively shaping the biology of animals, demonstrating that early herders, much like modern farmers, valued beauty and uniqueness in their livestock.
The Importance of Coat Color in Sheep Domestication
The team identified the gene 'KIT' as the primary gene showing signs of selection, which is linked to white coat color in various livestock species.
Divergence of Sheep Genomes and Later Movement
At this stage, the genomes of the earliest domestic sheep from Europe, Iran and Central Asia had diverged. Nevertheless, this division was temporary, as eastern sheep populations were later moved westward.
The Spread of Sheep and Cultural Influence Across the Fertile Cresent
Around 7,000 years ago, as human cultural influences expanded from the early cities of Mesopotamia, sheep genomes began to move westward within the Fertile Crescent.
The Rise of Pastoralist Societies and Their Impact on European populations
The emergence of pastoralist societies in the Eurasian steppes around 5,000 years ago had a profound impact on the ancestral human populations of European and their cultures.
Transformation of Genetic Makeup and Language
This transformation reshaped the genetic makeup of populations, such as altering the ancestry of the British people by approximately 90% and introduced the precursor to the Indo-European languages spoken across the continent today.
Sheep Herding: A Driver of Migration and Cultural Evolution
The dataset from this study suggests that the extensive migration was driven by sheep herding and the use of long-term products like milk and likely cheese, coinciding with changes in sheep ancestries. By the Bronze Age, roughly half of the herds' ancestry traced back to the Eurasian steppe.
Insights from Dr. Kevin Daly and Dan Bradley
Dr. Kevin Daly, an ad Astra Assistant professor at UCD's School of Agriculture and Food Science and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Trinity's School of Genetics and Microbiology, serves as the first author of the research.
He explained, "One of the most notable findings was the substantial prehistoric migration of sheep from the Eurasian steppes to Europe during the Bronze Age, which parallels human migrations from the same era, implying that people moved their flocks alongside them."
Sheep and Human Evolution: A Shared Journey
Dan Bradley, the leader of the research and Professor of Population Genetics at Trinity's School of Genetics and Microbiology, stated, "This research highlights the evolution of the relationship between humans and sheep over thousands of years. From the initial stages of domestication to the rise of wool as a vital textile resource, sheep have been integral to both cultural and economic progress."
Further Research into Sheep Domestication and Genetic Dispersal
Joris Peters, co-corresponding author, Professor of Paleoanatomy and Domestication Research at LMU Munich, and Director of the State Collection for Paleoanatomy Munich (SNSB-SPM), stated. "While our study reconciles morphological and genomic evidence regarding the geographic origin of domestic sheep, it underscores the need for further transdisciplinary research to fully understand the dispersal and selection patterns of the diverse landraces present today in Eurasia and Africa."
"Discover the fascinating journey of sheep domestication and its profound impact on human history! Dive deeper into how ancient DNA unravels 11,000 years of genetic ties between sheep and humanity. For more insights on related topics, check out our partner sites:
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Click here to read the full article and explore the intricate connections between genetic discoveries and cultural evolution."
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