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wombat8756 t1_jbbuuzo wrote

Reply to comment by OMightyMartian in Humans Started Riding Horses 5,000 Years Ago, New Evidence Suggests by Magister_Xehanort

Just want to point out that this particular study uses skeletal evidence, the genetic evidence supporting a domestic lineage of horses was previously known

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Bookbringer t1_jbeli88 wrote

Specifically, the researchers found 5 Yamnaya skeletons well-dated from 3000-2,500 BCE which display characteristics of "horsemanship syndrome" - ie, stresses and changes to the pelvis, thigh bone, hip socket which are seen in confirmed horseriders.

They aren't saying this is definitive proof of horseback riding. There's some speculation riding another animal (like a mule) or using the same muscles in a non-riding activity (barrel making, basket weaving) could cause similar characteristics.

But since it's already established that the Yamnaya people kept domesticated horses for milk at this point, it's possible.

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jeffersonairmattress t1_jbf99qy wrote

Ah, to live 4400 years ago when you could tell your idiot brother to “go milk a horse.”

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Birziaks t1_jbfmoos wrote

No need to for that, just go to central Asia. Kumis is still widely consumed

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FluphyBunny t1_jbx98a1 wrote

Yes this was missing from the context the previous time I read this. The two evidence together is very interesting.

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