Overview

• Humans began domesticating horses around 2200 B.C., a millennium later than previously thought.
• Initial domestication was for meat and milk; later, horses were used for transportation and warfare.
• The genetic study involved 475 ancient horse genomes, showing significant changes around 4,200 years ago.
• Research indicates horses were not used in early migrations of the Yamnaya culture across Europe and Asia.
• The domestication of horses accelerated human expansion and cultural exchanges across Eurasia.