家马起源与驯化的古DNA研究进展

Research Progress on Ancient DNA of Domestic Horses

一、引言动物的驯化作为人类发展史上最重要的转变之一^([1]),最早见于距今11000~4000年前狩猎采集者对狼的控制^([2])。到了新石器时代至青铜时代,许多其他物种逐渐被纳入人类视野,如绵羊^([3])、山羊^([4])、牛^([5])、猪^([6])、鸡^([7])和马^([8])。这些动物自驯化以来,一直在人类社会扮演着多种重要角色。它们不仅能为我们提供肉蛋奶等食物资源,也被应用于祭祀、交通等方面。学者研究动物驯化的问题,主要从两个方面入手:一是从动物考古学角度,基于考古材料,利用传统手段对骨骼形态变化、死亡年龄结构、性别比例和同位素等进行分析;二是用古DNA技术手段从现代家养动物中获得遗传信息以追溯他们的驯化时间和地理起源。

As one of the most important domestic animals in ancient societies,the emergence of the domestic horse(Equus Caballus)greatly changed human eating habits and travel patterns,and promoted the migration of people and the integration of ethnic groups.The origin and domestication of domestic horses have always been widely concerned in terms of archaeology.In recent years,the results of ancient DNA studies have provided new evidence for solving the issue.In this paper,we hope to provide some new ideas and insights for exploring the origin and domestication of domestic horses by sorting out the results of ancient DNA studies.