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PloS one2022; 17(5); e0265775; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265775

The spread of herds and horses into the Altai: How livestock and dairying drove social complexity in Mongolia.

Abstract: 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.
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Publication Date: 2022-05-11 PubMed ID: 35544454PubMed Central: PMC9094512DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265775Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article focuses on the movement of herders and livestock into the eastern steppe and how that influenced social growth in Mongolia. The study utilizes proteomic evidence of dairy consumption from the Early Bronze Age to the Late Iron Age and links it with the rise in social complexity in Mongolia, highlighted by population growth and the establishment of structured settlements and monuments.

Research Objective and Methodology

  • The research aims at exploring the transition of eastern steppe communities in Mongolia from the Early Bronze to the Late Iron Age, with a focus on the introduction and utilization of domesticated ruminants and horses.
  • The researchers use proteomic data as evidence for changes in dietary habits, primarily dairy consumption. The sources of these proteomic data are from different sites in the Altai Mountains, dating from various periods.

Key Findings

  • The research suggests that the adoption of ruminant livestock at the start of the Bronze Age was the foundation for the development of complex societies in western Mongolia.
  • Over time, an increase in pastoralism investments provided a sustainable food production system capable of supporting growing populations.
  • The first evidence of horse dairying dated around 1350 cal BCE coincided with notable social changes and the construction of large monuments. These changes, however, were backed by a longstanding economic reliance on ruminant livestock.

Meaning and Implications

  • The movement of herders and their livestock into the Mongolian Altai resulted in immediate changes in dietary habits. The dietary and lifestyle adjustments fueled significant social and demographic transformations over time.
  • The research sheds newly discovered insight on the historical progression and development of Mongolia, confirming that domesticated ruminants and horses have played a significant role in social complexities expansion and population growth.

Conclusion

  • The study provides valuable insights into the historical developments in Mongolia from Early Bronze Age and Late Iron Age. The proteomic evidence shows that the adoption of ruminant livestock and horse dairying not only transformed dietary habits but also catalyzed social transformations, including the growth in population size and the construction of large monuments.

Cite This Article

APA
Ventresca Miller AR, Wilkin S, Hendy J, Turbat T, Batsukh D, Bayarkhuu N, Giscard PH, Bemmann J, Bayarsaikhan J, Miller BK, Clark J, Roberts P, Boivin N. (2022). The spread of herds and horses into the Altai: How livestock and dairying drove social complexity in Mongolia. PLoS One, 17(5), e0265775. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265775

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 5
Pages: e0265775

Researcher Affiliations

Ventresca Miller, Alicia R
  • Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
  • Museum of Anthropological Archaeology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
  • Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany.
Wilkin, Shevan
  • Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany.
  • Institute of Evolutionary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
Hendy, Jessica
  • BioArCh, Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, United Kingdom.
  • Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany.
Turbat, Tsagaan
  • Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
  • Archaeological Research Center of the National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Batsukh, Dunburee
  • Institute of Archaeology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Bayarkhuu, Noost
  • Archaeometry Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
Giscard, Pierre-Henri
  • Institute of Deserts and Steppes, Paris, France.
Bemmann, Jan
  • Prehistoric and Early Historic Archaeology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Bayarsaikhan, Jamsranjav
  • Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany.
  • National Museum of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Miller, Bryan K
  • Museum of Anthropological Archaeology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
  • Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany.
  • History of Art Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America.
Clark, Julia
  • NOMAD Science, Glen, Montana, United States of America.
  • Department of Archaeology, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
  • Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, United States of America.
Roberts, Patrick
  • Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany.
  • School of Social Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Boivin, Nicole
  • Department of Archaeology, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Jena, Germany.
  • School of Social Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
  • Department of Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
  • Smithsonian Institution, New York, New York, United States of America.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Asian People
  • Dairying
  • History, Ancient
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Livestock
  • Mongolia
  • Proteomics

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
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