The First Ancient DNA Evidence of Zebu Husbandry in Thailand During the Prehistoric Through the Historic Periods

Abstract

Bos taurus (taurine) and Bos indicus (zebu) are domestic cattle species that originated in the Near East (Middle East) and the Indus Valley (Pakistan, northwest India, and Afghanistan), respectively. Zebu is the predominant traditional cattle lineage in Southeast Asia, whereas taurine cattle are exotic breeds imported from other countries. A previous study suggested that all Thai cattle dating to 3500–1700 years before present (YBP) belonged to the taurine lineage. This suggests that zebu cattle were introduced into Thailand at a later date and subsequently replaced the taurine population. This study analysed 26 cattle specimens collected from nine archaeological sites across Thailand, dating between 3400 and 600 YBP. Species identification was performed using partial mitochondrial DNA sequences obtained from four cattle remains from two archaeological sites, Khao Khuram (dated 1700–1500 YBP) and Sukhothai Historical Park (dated 850–650 YBP). DNA analyses showed that these ancient cattle were grouped with modern zebu cattle from India, China, and Cambodia, suggesting that zebu cattle linked to South Asian lineages had reached Thailand by at least 1700 YBP. The findings provide new insights into domestic animal mobility and transregional exchange networks that link South and Southeast Asia via overland and maritime routes. Keywords: ancient DNA, Bos indicus, Bos taurus, extinction, Southeast Asia, Thailand