Overview

• New archaeological and biomolecular evidence suggests chickens were raised for egg production in Central Asia from 400 BCE to 1000 CE.
• The domestic chicken's prolific egg laying, especially out of season, likely contributed to its dispersion along the Silk Road.
• Researchers used ZooMS, a cost-effective biomolecular analysis, to identify eggshell fragments as domestic chicken eggs.
• This study provides the earliest evidence for the loss of seasonal egg laying in chickens, a key factor in their domestication.
• The findings challenge previous notions about the ancient origins of chickens and highlight the role of egg production in their spread.