TY - JOUR
T1 - The spread of herds and horses into the Altai
T2 - How livestock and dairying drove social complexity in Mongolia
AU - Ventresca Miller, Alicia R
AU - Wilkin, Shevan
AU - Hendy, Jessica
AU - Turbat, Tsagaan
AU - Batsukh, Dunburee
AU - Bayarkhuu, Noost
AU - Giscard, Pierre-Henri
AU - Bemmann, Jan
AU - Bayarsaikhan, Jamsranjav
AU - Miller, Bryan K
AU - Clark, Julia
AU - Roberts, Patrick
AU - Boivin, Nicole
N1 - © 2022 Ventresca Miller et al.
PY - 2022/5/11
Y1 - 2022/5/11
N2 - The initial movement of herders and livestock into the eastern steppe is of great interest, as this region has long been home to pastoralist groups. Due to a paucity of faunal remains, however, it has been difficult to discern the timing of the adoption of domesticated ruminants and horses into the region, though recent research on ancient dairying has started to shed new light on this history. Here we present proteomic evidence for shifts in dairy consumption in the Altai Mountains, drawing on evidence from sites dating from the Early Bronze to the Late Iron Age. We compare these finds with evidence for the rise of social complexity in western Mongolia, as reflected in material remains signaling population growth, the establishment of structured cemeteries, and the erection of large monuments. Our results suggest that the subsistence basis for the development of complex societies began at the dawn of the Bronze Age, with the adoption of ruminant livestock. Investments in pastoralism intensified over time, enabling a food production system that sustained growing populations. While pronounced social changes and monumental constructions occurred in tandem with the first evidence for horse dairying, ~1350 cal BCE, these shifts were fueled by a long-term economic dependence on ruminant livestock. Therefore, the spread into the Mongolian Altai of herds, and then horses, resulted in immediate dietary changes, with subsequent social and demographic transformations occurring later.
AB - The initial movement of herders and livestock into the eastern steppe is of great interest, as this region has long been home to pastoralist groups. Due to a paucity of faunal remains, however, it has been difficult to discern the timing of the adoption of domesticated ruminants and horses into the region, though recent research on ancient dairying has started to shed new light on this history. Here we present proteomic evidence for shifts in dairy consumption in the Altai Mountains, drawing on evidence from sites dating from the Early Bronze to the Late Iron Age. We compare these finds with evidence for the rise of social complexity in western Mongolia, as reflected in material remains signaling population growth, the establishment of structured cemeteries, and the erection of large monuments. Our results suggest that the subsistence basis for the development of complex societies began at the dawn of the Bronze Age, with the adoption of ruminant livestock. Investments in pastoralism intensified over time, enabling a food production system that sustained growing populations. While pronounced social changes and monumental constructions occurred in tandem with the first evidence for horse dairying, ~1350 cal BCE, these shifts were fueled by a long-term economic dependence on ruminant livestock. Therefore, the spread into the Mongolian Altai of herds, and then horses, resulted in immediate dietary changes, with subsequent social and demographic transformations occurring later.
KW - Animals
KW - Asians
KW - Dairying
KW - History, Ancient
KW - Horses
KW - Humans
KW - Livestock
KW - Mongolia
KW - Proteomics
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0265775
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0265775
M3 - Article
C2 - 35544454
SN - 1932-6203
VL - 17
JO - PLOS one
JF - PLOS one
IS - 5
M1 - e0265775
ER -