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.

Curated cauldrons: Preserved proteins from early copper-alloy vessels illuminate feasting practices in the Caucasian steppe

“…Over the past decade, protein analysis has been applied to numerous archaeological materials, such as: human dental calculus, 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 skeletal remains, 28 , 29 mummified tissues, 30 leather, 31 parchment papers, 32 and more. Dietary proteins have been of special interest, as they provide proxy information on subsistence strategies, for example, evidence for dairy consumption or grain use can imply cultivation practices and human-animal interactions, lending insights into domestication and the use of primary and secondary products.…”

The impact of cooking and burial on proteins: a characterisation of experimental foodcrusts and ceramics

“…All samples and machine washes were analysed following an SP3 protein extraction protocol [53,54] adapted for ancient samples [55,56] which can be found on protocols.io [https://doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.bfgrjjv6] and is routinely applied to archaeological samples [56][57][58].…”

Towards a science of archaeoecology

“…For example, the archaeological record contains middens of trash deposited by humans in the past [29], which include fragments of animals and plants used by humans at different points in time, as elucidated by the practices of zooarchaeology and archaeobotany [30,31]. Middens and other intentionally deposited remains can be augmented by other forms of environmental and ecological reconstruction, including tree ring proxies for climate change [32], isotopic analyses of bones [33], and proteomics to understand past faunal composition [34]. The addition of methods for reconstructing past temperature [35], rainfall [6], flood episodes [36], and climatic shifts [37] via modern methods has enhanced understanding of the environmental context of past cultures.…”