Horse Paleogenomes and Human–Animal Interactions in Prehistory

Publication date: Available online 17 May 2019Source: Trends in GeneticsAuthor(s): George H. Perry, Cheryl A. MakarewiczA new analysis of paleogenomic data from 278 ancient horses (Fages et al. Cell http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2019.03.049) finds that this animal – crucially important to many ancient and contemporary human societies for subsistence, transportation, conflict, and more – was domesticated in at least two different regions, but with the geographic and cultural origins of the modern domestic horse lineage remaining unknown. By tracing ancient horse population movements and inferring the spatiotemporal trajectories of phenotypic adaptations, this study provides fresh perspectives on past human group interactions and activities.

Source: Trends in Genetics - May 18, 2019 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research