DNA bucks horse domestication story.

A recent study published in Nature challenges long-held beliefs about the domestication of horses. The research suggests that horses were domesticated at least twice, with the first attempt occurring around 5,500 years ago by the Botai hunter-gatherers in Central Asia. However, this initial domestication did not last. The second domestication event took place about 4,200 years ago by people north of the Caucasus Mountains, resulting in the modern domestic horse. These findings call into question previous ideas about the timing and individuals involved in horse domestication, including the role of the Yamnaya people. The study analyzed DNA from ancient and modern horses to establish a timeline for domestication, revealing that the spread of domesticated horses occurred about 800 years after the Yamnaya migration. The research also suggests that horse breeding was controlled by humans to increase numbers and select for specific traits, indicating clear signs of domestication. However, there is debate among experts about the significance of the Botai culture's role in horse domestication. [Extracted from the article]