Archive · 23 Dec 2025
Study Reveals 10,000-Year Genetic History of East Asian Cattle
Scientists have created a big map showing how cattle in East Asia changed over 10,000 years.
They looked at old cattle bones from different places in China.
They found that these cattle didn't come from just one place.
Instead, they mixed with local wild cattle and other breeds from far away.
This happened a long time ago, around 5,000 years, when cattle from the west came to the Yellow River area.
In another place called Xinjiang, cattle had traits from both the west and South Asia.
This shows that people and animals moved around a lot in ancient times, mixing and sharing things.
The study helps us understand how ancient people lived and traveled.
Researchers created a detailed genetic map of East Asian cattle, tracing their origin and movement over 10,000 years.
The study analyzed 166 ancient cattle samples from various archaeological sites across China.
Domestic cattle in East Asia evolved through repeated introductions of external breeds and genetic mixing with local populations.
Around 5,000 years ago, taurine cattle reached the Yellow River Basin and interbred with local wild aurochs.
Early cattle in the Xinjiang region showed genetic signatures of both Western taurine and South Asian indicine breeds.
- Who
- Researchers from Jilin University, Seoul National University, and archaeological institutions in China
- What
- A study on the genetic history of East Asian cattle and ancient Silk Road connections
- When
- The study analyzed samples spanning approximately 10,000 years, with key findings around 5,000 years ago
- Where
- Various archaeological sites across China, including the Yellow River Basin and Xinjiang region
- Why
- To trace the origin and movement of domestic cattle in East Asia and understand ancient civilizations' interactions
- Research Team
- Professor Cai Dawei, Jilin University, Seoul National University, and archaeological institutions in China
- Journal
- Science
- Samples Analyzed
- 166 ancient cattle samples
- Time Span
- Approximately 10,000 years
- Key Finding
- Domestic cattle in East Asia evolved through repeated introductions of external breeds and genetic mixing with local populations